ELLESMERE PORT MAN STEPHEN THOMAS SENTENCED FOR ABUSE OF SEVEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN LIVERPOOL
An Ellesmere Port resident was sentenced to prison after engaging in a brutal two-year campaign of abuse against a seven-year-old girl.The court was informed that Stephen Thomas, of Straker Avenue, subjected the young girl to abuse between 2016 and 2018.
When police were alerted to the allegations, officers arrested the 29-year-old and confiscated electronic devices.
Examination of these devices revealed the presence of indecent images of children.
Thomas was detained in connection with the images but initially denied any wrongdoing when questioned by officers.
He pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual touching of a child under 13 and two counts of producing indecent images of children.
However, after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, he was convicted of all charges.
He was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders' register and comply with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Detective Constable Joanna Barclay of Cheshire Police commented afterward, saying, "This case has left the victim and her family distraught, and I hope that the sentence will help bring some closure to them.
Thomas preyed upon a young child for his own sexual gratification and refused to accept responsibility for his crimes, forcing the family to revisit the traumatic experience during the trial." Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane also expressed his sentiments, stating, "This is a harrowing case, and my thoughts are with the victim and her family.
I would like to commend the team who worked tirelessly to ensure justice.
Support is available for victims of sexual abuse, and I urge anyone affected to report it to police and seek assistance."
