April 2011 West Yorkshire pervert back in jail after abuse of girl A SEX offender who preyed on a 12-year-old girl after his release from prison for abusing ten youngsters during the 1980s has been returned to jail. Stephen Fothergill, 53, was jailed in 1987 for indecently assaulting ten girls under the age of 13. Leeds Crown Court heard how he targeted another victim after his release from prison. Fothergill, of Queen Street, Wakefield, carried out the offences at his home. Neil Clarke, mitigating, said Fothergill was still in denial about the offences. He said the offences had a devastating effect on Fothergill’s family. Judge Christopher Batty jailed Fothergill for eight years and told him he must serve an extended licence period of seven years upon his release. He was also banned from working with children and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life. The judge told Fothergill: “It is perhaps too early to know exactly what effect your sexual abuse of her will have on her as she grows up. “The emotional trauma that people like you bring about when they embark on behaviour such as this is difficult to quantify but extreme in significance.” He added: “This wasn’t an isolated incident. This went on for a period of time. “Looking at this indictment and looking at your report, you are assessed as a high risk of serious offending in the future. “You are, in my view, a danger to young girls. “I sincerely hope during your period in custody and the licence period that follows that you can come to terms with offending and get the appropriate help. “You may, in due course be someone who is safe within the community.”