STEPHEN HUTCHINSON FROM BACUP AND BURNLEY JAILED FOR SEX OFFENSES AND BREACHES

In a series of serious legal actions, Stephen Hutchinson, a man with a long and troubling criminal history, has faced multiple convictions and court proceedings related to sexual offenses and violations of court orders. Hutchinson, who has accumulated an astonishing 120 previous convictions, has been at the center of attention in both Bacup and Burnley due to his repeated breaches of legal restrictions and possession of illegal material.

In November 2017, Hutchinson was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court after a series of violations of his court-imposed restrictions. The court heard that Hutchinson, aged 42, had previously been jailed for seven years in 2005 for attempted child rape and indecent assault. Earlier this year, he was given a sexual harm prevention order following a guilty plea to possessing extreme pornographic images. Alongside this, he received a 12-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years. The order explicitly prohibited Hutchinson from possessing any device capable of accessing the internet unless he made such devices available to police upon request.

On October 2, police officers visited Hutchinson’s former residence in Bacup to address a breach of his obligations. They had been alerted that Hutchinson had failed to sign the sex offender registration on September 4. During the police visit, Hutchinson claimed he believed his next registration was due in February. When asked about devices capable of internet access, he handed over a black Samsung phone but denied possessing any other devices. However, a subsequent search of the property uncovered 15 additional items that could potentially access the internet or store illicit images.

Hutchinson, who was residing on Yorkshire Street in Burnley at the time of the court proceedings, pleaded guilty to multiple breaches: failing to comply with notification requirements, violating the sexual harm prevention order, and breaching a suspended sentence. His defense lawyer, Salina Akhtar, argued that no offensive material was found on any of the devices and suggested that Hutchinson intended to sell some of the mobile phones recovered. She also noted that Hutchinson handed over his mobile phone when police arrived, indicating cooperation.

Judge Beverley Lunt sentenced Hutchinson to 11 months in prison, emphasizing the importance of continued compliance with legal restrictions. She stated, “When you come out of prison, you are still subject to the notification requirements and the terms of the sexual harm prevention order,” underscoring the ongoing nature of his legal obligations.

Earlier in February 2017, Hutchinson’s troubling history was further highlighted when police discovered disturbing images on his phone. During a routine check at his former home on North Road in Rawtenstall, officers found 47 images of extreme pornography involving animals. An examination of his internet history also revealed searches related to ‘rape,’ raising serious concerns about his behavior and intentions. Hutchinson, now residing in Bacup, admitted to possessing these images and making the searches. Despite his extensive criminal record, he was sentenced to a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years, with additional requirements including supervision, participation in a sex offender program, and a 30-day rehabilitation activity.

Prosecutor Mercedes Jabbari described the police visit, which took place at 6:30 pm on December 22 of the previous year, as part of an investigation into a Facebook posting that potentially exposed Hutchinson as a sex offender. During the visit, officers requested to view his phone and discovered the illicit images and search history. Hutchinson’s acknowledgment of viewing and downloading the images, coupled with his minimization of the offense, was noted by the court. Judge Beverley Lunt condemned the images as ‘disgraceful and disgusting,’ making it clear that Hutchinson’s previous convictions and awareness of his wrongdoing left little room for leniency. Her final remarks underscored the gravity of his actions, stating, “He knew exactly what he was doing was wrong, especially with his previous convictions. I can’t send him to prison for long enough so they could do anything with him.”