STEPHEN UNWIN FROM BUCKLEY SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN NORTH WALES

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Buckley and the wider North Wales region, Stephen Leonard Unwin, aged 45, has been officially sentenced to a lengthy prison term following his conviction on multiple serious charges. The court proceedings, which culminated in a verdict last month, revealed a disturbing pattern of criminal behavior that spanned several years.

Unwin, a resident of Powell Road in Buckley, was arrested in April 2008 by officers from the North Wales Police’s central public protection unit. The investigation into his activities was extensive and meticulous, involving a detailed and sensitive inquiry that ultimately led to his prosecution. The case was heard at Caernarfon Crown Court in January, where the evidence against him was thoroughly examined.

During the trial, the court found Unwin guilty of six counts of rape, one of which involved a teenage girl under the age of 16. The severity of these crimes was underscored by the fact that the victim was a minor, highlighting the heinous nature of his offenses. In addition to the rape charges, Unwin was convicted of three counts of indecent assault on a female, which contributed to a concurrent nine-year sentence.

Furthermore, the court imposed a significant sentence for the possession of child pornography. Unwin was found guilty of possessing 12 counts of indecent images and videos of children, with content ranging from level one, the least severe, to level five, which involves the most serious forms of sadism. These charges resulted in a sentence to be served alongside his 13-year term for the sexual offenses.

Detective Inspector Jo Williams described Unwin as a predator, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. She stated, “Stephen Unwin is a predator. The offences which he committed against innocent victims over a significant period of time were terrible. The sentence is a reflection of the serious nature of these offences.”

As part of his legal obligations, Unwin will now be required to register as a sex offender, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities following his release from prison. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilant law enforcement and the justice system in protecting vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior.