STEPHEN SOUTHAM FROM THRINGSTONE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF VULNERABLE BOY IN LEICESTER

In a case that has shocked the community of Thringstone and the wider Leicester area, Stephen Southam, aged 60, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after admitting to a series of serious sexual offences committed against a young boy. The offences, which occurred between 1997 and 2002, involved multiple counts of indecent assault, attempted indecent assault, and attempted rape, targeting a vulnerable child aged between 11 and 15 years old.

Southam’s crimes came to light after a series of distressing events that included a tragic suicide pact involving his partner. The court heard that Southam and his partner, who had been together for 28 years, decided to end their lives after a confrontation with a mutual acquaintance. This confrontation was initiated when a friend of the victim, who had learned of the abuse, contacted Southam’s partner, David Murray, over the phone. The friend urged both Murray and Southam to surrender themselves to the police, which led to a series of devastating consequences.

In August of the previous year, Southam and Murray entered into a suicide pact. They both took overdoses in an attempt to end their lives. Murray tragically died from the overdose, while Southam survived. Prosecutor James Thomas revealed that the two left a suicide note indicating that the victim was not at fault and describing their state of mind as being “in the bottom of a mental cesspit,” with the hope that “everyone will be at peace.”

The court was also informed about the profound impact the abuse had on the victim. In a heartfelt victim impact statement, the young man described himself as being “broken,” suffering from panic attacks, insomnia, and carrying the burden of secrecy for many years. It was only after confiding in his girlfriend and later a friend that the truth was revealed. The friend then confronted Southam’s partner, which ultimately led to the police investigation.

Southam, who resides on Talbot Street in Thringstone, Leicester, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including five counts of indecent assault, one count of attempted indecent assault, and one count of attempted rape. The offences spanned a period from 1997 to 2002 and involved the victim being subjected to sexual abuse, including watching pornography at Southam’s behest. The judge, Philip Head, emphasized the severity and duration of the abuse, describing it as a “prolonged and extreme campaign.”

Judge Head also noted that Southam was undeterred by the victim’s resistance and that he acted in concert with his partner, who later took his own life after the abuse was disclosed. The judge highlighted the significant psychological harm inflicted upon the victim, who later contemplated suicide a second time. The court was told that Southam’s actions posed a grave risk to the public, especially to young boys, due to the potential for further offences.

In addition to the current sentence, Southam has a criminal history that includes an eight-month jail term in 2009 for downloading indecent images of children and supplying cannabis to a 14-year-old boy. During sentencing, Southam’s legal representative, Sarah Cornish, expressed remorse on his behalf, stating that he was genuinely sorry and wished to apologize to the victim. She also noted that Southam accepted all the aggravating factors and that the victim was spared the ordeal of giving evidence in court.

As part of his sentence, Southam will be required to sign the sex offender register for life and has been placed under a 15-year sexual harm prevention order. The case underscores the devastating impact of sexual abuse and the importance of justice for victims, as well as the ongoing risks posed by offenders with a history of such crimes.