STEPHEN MASLEN FROM NEWPORT SENTENCED FOR INDECENT ASSAULT ON YOUNG GIRL

In a case that has shocked the Newport community, Stephen Maslen, aged 63, has been sentenced to prison for indecently touching a young girl, marking a significant development in a long-standing history of similar offences. The incident, which occurred in Newport, led to Maslen receiving a sentence of two years and three months after he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Maslen attempted to justify his actions by claiming that the inappropriate acts were part of a game involving a chocolate egg. The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous for legal reasons, disclosed that she was touched on two separate occasions, an experience that caused her considerable distress, anxiety, and a tendency to withdraw from social interactions.

Judge Gaskell, presiding over the case, sentenced Maslen to a total of 27 months in prison, with both sentences to run concurrently. This decision underscores the seriousness with which the court viewed the offences and the impact on the young victim.

It is important to note that Maslen's criminal record includes a conviction from 1998 for gross indecency with children, highlighting a troubling pattern of behaviour that has persisted over the years. The court's ruling reflects the ongoing concern about safeguarding vulnerable individuals and the importance of holding offenders accountable for their actions.