STEPHEN RICE FROM BISHOP’S HULL ESCAPES JAIL AFTER ABUSING TEENAGE GIRL IN TAUNTON

In a case that has shocked the local community, Stephen Rice, a 56-year-old resident of Northfields in Bishop’s Hull, was brought before Taunton Crown Court to face serious allegations of sexual abuse involving a teenage girl. Despite the gravity of the charges, Rice was not sentenced to prison but instead received a combination of supervision and financial penalties, a decision that has sparked considerable controversy and public concern.

According to court proceedings, Rice was found guilty of three historic counts of indecent assault committed against a girl under the age of 16. The incidents, which the court described as acts of “sexual perversion,” took place over a period of time, with the court hearing that Rice had subjected the victim to inappropriate touching and emotional manipulation. The court was told that Rice had given the girl kisses and expressed a desire to be her boyfriend, actions that were deemed highly inappropriate and damaging.

Prosecutor Mark Worsley provided details of the abuse, revealing that the assaults began in the mid-1990s. Worsley explained that Rice would inappropriately touch the girl for periods lasting between 20 to 30 minutes, and that he had also made inappropriate advances. The victim, who only came forward last year amid ongoing mental health struggles, reported the abuse to authorities, prompting a police investigation that eventually led to Rice’s conviction.

During the hearing, Rice admitted to the charges, and his defense lawyer, Patrick Mason, requested leniency by highlighting his client’s early guilty plea. Mason described Rice as remorseful and expressed that he fully accepted responsibility for his actions, emphasizing that the conduct occurred over 15 years ago. However, the judge, David Ticehurst, was unyielding in his condemnation, stating that the impact of Rice’s actions was incalculable and that the victim would carry the scars for the rest of her life.

Judge Ticehurst read a poignant impact statement from the victim, which conveyed the profound and lasting effects the abuse had on her life. The judge then delivered a stern warning to Rice, asserting that he had “ruined her life” and that he should be ashamed of himself. While Rice was spared immediate imprisonment, he was handed a three-year supervision order and ordered to pay £3,000 in compensation. Additionally, he is required to participate in the Thames Valley Sex Offender Programme, a step aimed at preventing future offenses.

This case underscores the ongoing issues surrounding sexual abuse and the importance of justice for victims. The community in Bishop’s Hull and the wider area continues to grapple with the implications of such crimes, and many are calling for stricter sentences to ensure offenders are held fully accountable for their actions.