STEPEHEN DURWARD SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN YORKSHIRE
In a troubling case that has sent shockwaves through the community in Yorkshire, a man identified as Stephen Durward has been convicted on serious charges of sexual assault and rape.The incident occurred in the early hours of a night in 2019, when Durward allegedly attacked a woman while she was asleep, an act that has left lasting scars on the victim.
Following the report of the assault, law enforcement authorities responded swiftly.
By shortly after 3 am, police had traced Durward back to his residence.
During the investigation, officers requested the clothing he had been wearing at the time of the offence for forensic analysis.
Durward informed them that his clothes were in his bedroom.
However, upon retrieving the garments, officers discovered that they were folded neatly and showed no signs of having been worn recently.
Further probing by the police led Durward to admit that the last set of clothes he wore had been washed earlier.
This admission raised suspicions as to whether he had attempted to eliminate evidence, a detail that contributed to the gravity of the case.
Durward was subsequently charged with both rape and sexual assault.
Throughout the proceedings, he maintained that the acts were consensual, denying any non-consensual conduct.
The case went to trial at Teesside Crown Court, and on January 12, a jury found Durward guilty of both charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court then turned to sentencing, which took place during a hearing at Durham Crown Court via video link on Tuesday, February 14.
Durward, who is 38 years old and resides on Sherwood Road, Thornaby, was remanded in custody at Durham Prison pending the outcome of sentencing.
During the hearing, Rebecca Brown, representing the prosecution, read aloud a victim impact statement from the woman involved.
Brown described the victim's emotions as being overwhelmed by feelings of sickness and disgust in response to Durward’s actions.
She explained that the assault had caused her to experience recurring nightmares and prompted her to take a significant amount of leave from work, eventually leading her to leave her job due to a mental health breakdown.
The statement conveyed her ongoing despair with the line, “Not a day goes by without thinking about what happened.” Brown also revealed that the trauma inflicted by Durward’s actions drove the victim to the brink of despair, including a suicide attempt last year, illustrating the profound and enduring impact of the crime.
The victim has expressed her hope that the court will impose a restraining order to protect her from potential contact with the offender.
In defense of Durward, legal representative Stephen Littlewood presented several character references, emphasizing that the alleged offences appeared to be completely out of character for his client.
Littlewood highlighted Durward’s history of leading a productive and compassionate life, describing him as an individual who has positively touched many around him.
He requested the court to consider these factors, suggesting that the offences might have been an isolated incident.
Littlewood also addressed the significant delay in reaching a verdict, noting that the offences dated back to July 2019, which he argued was not the fault of his client but rather a consequence of unavoidable procedural backlog.
Presiding over the case, Recorder Paul Reid acknowledged these delays, expressing regret over the prolonged timeline that affected both the accused and the victim.
In his sentencing remarks, Recorder Reid underscored the seriousness of Durward’s actions, especially noting his cynical behavior in immediately washing his clothing after the assault — a move viewed as an attempt to destroy evidence.
He stated that Durward’s actions, inflicted on a vulnerable victim who was asleep at the time, had profoundly shattered her life.
Despite the positive personal qualities highlighted in character references, the court decided that only a lengthy custodial sentence was appropriate.
Durward was sentenced to 90 months in prison, equivalent to seven and a half years, for the principal charge of rape.
Additionally, he received a further 50 months to run concurrently for sexual assault.
The judge also mandated that Durward be placed on the sex offender register and issued an indefinite restraining order that prohibits him from contacting or approaching the victim in any manner.
Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Lou Sproson of Stockton CID commented on the case, expressing relief that the victim’s trust had been betrayed by Durward’s actions and noting that he is now incarcerated for a significant period, preventing him from harming anyone else.
DI Sproson reaffirmed the police’s commitment to treating victims with sensitivity and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.
He encouraged anyone who has experienced similar crimes to come forward and report their experiences.
Police and specialized services such as the Teesside Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) are available to provide support, regardless of whether the incident has been formally reported.
SARC offers 24-hour crisis intervention and works alongside local organizations including Barnados, A Way Out, and Arch to support victims in their recovery process.
