WISBECH MAN STEPHEN SLATER SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS FOR RAPE AND ABUSE

In a case that has shocked the community of Wisbech, Stephen Slater, a 46-year-old man, was handed a substantial prison sentence of seven years after being convicted of rape. The court also sentenced his wife, Sybil Slater, aged 23, to a community order for her role in aiding and abetting the assault. The judge, Howarth, described Stephen Slater as a "dangerous man who poses a significant risk to the public of repeating similar offences," emphasizing the severity of his actions and the threat he continues to pose.

Slater’s criminal history includes a prior conviction for engaging in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl, which further underscored the gravity of his current conviction. Both Stephen and Sybil Slater appeared before Cambridge Crown Court last Thursday to face sentencing after being found guilty of the offences following a 12-day trial earlier this year. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the incident, which took place on October 6, 2006, at the Slaters’ residence.

According to the court, Sybil Slater had befriended the teenage victim and had invited her to their home for a casual drink, suggesting that she was welcome to visit whenever she wished. On the day in question, the victim accepted the invitation and arrived at the couple’s home. What initially appeared to be an innocent social visit quickly took a sinister turn. The court heard that Sybil Slater engaged the girl in conversation, which soon shifted from friendly chat to something far more disturbing.

It was then that Sybil proposed a threesome involving herself, her husband Stephen, and the teenage girl. The victim immediately rejected the suggestion and attempted to leave the premises. However, both Sybil and Stephen Slater prevented her from leaving. The court described how Sybil forcibly restrained the girl in an armchair, while Stephen Slater proceeded to commit the rape.

The victim, overwhelmed and distressed, did not report the assault until four days later, when she finally summoned the courage to contact the police. Law enforcement officers responded swiftly, arresting both Slaters. Despite their initial denials and claims that the victim had never been to their home, forensic evidence proved otherwise. Detective Constable Jon Edwards, who led the investigation, explained, "Forensically, we could place the victim in that flat, and forensic links connected the evidence pieces together."

As a result of the conviction, Stephen Slater was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the seriousness of his crime. His wife, Sybil, received a community order with a three-year supervision requirement and was also ordered to remain on the sex offenders’ register for five years. The judge highlighted the heinous nature of the offences, stating, "These were dreadful offences in that the defendant effectively imprisoned his victim in the home for his sexual gratification."

Judge Howarth further commented on the impact of the crime, noting the significant emotional and psychological harm inflicted on the victim. He described Stephen Slater as a "manipulative and devious individual who degraded and violated his victim," emphasizing that he remains a significant threat to the community. The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Wisbech, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such offenders.