STEPHEN AND GORDON BASSETT: HORRIFIC CHILD SEX ABUSE IN CASTLEFORD, HEDON, AND HULL

In a disturbing case that spans over four decades, two brothers, Stephen Bassett and Gordon Bassett, have been convicted of heinous sexual offenses involving the same young girl, with their crimes taking place across the towns of Castleford, Hedon, and Hull.

Back in March 2019, the court heard how Stephen Bassett, then 62, and his younger brother Gordon, then 61, engaged in a series of sickening sexual assaults against the girl when she was between 12 and 13 years old during the 1970s. The victim, who bravely testified during the trial, recounted how Stephen Bassett, a former taxi firm boss from Goole, repeatedly raped her and committed other child sex offenses, including driving her to isolated locations for abuse. Her emotional testimony revealed the profound and lasting impact of these crimes, describing feelings of shame, isolation, and emotional scars that persist to this day.

Stephen Bassett was convicted of 14 child sex offenses, including three counts of rape, indecency with a child, and ten counts of indecent assault. His crimes were part of a decade-long pattern of abuse that began in the early 1980s. The jury also found him guilty of three counts of rape against another girl, with the court hearing how he used threats and manipulation to silence his victims. Following his conviction, Stephen was sentenced to 15 years in prison and will remain on the sex offenders register for life. During the sentencing, Judge David Tremberg emphasized the grave emotional harm caused by his actions, noting that the victim's suffering was deep-seated and enduring.

Gordon Bassett, who grew up in Hedon and later resided in Hull, was convicted of a single count of indecent assault. His case was linked to the same series of abuse, and he was released on bail pending sentencing, which was scheduled for March 8. During the proceedings, Gordon made what the court described as 'tentative admissions' in a pre-sentence report, suggesting some remorse. However, Judge Tremberg criticized these admissions as 'rather hollow,' pointing out that Gordon had previously denied any wrongdoing and showed contempt for his victim by later sexually assaulting her son.

The court heard how Gordon's actions demonstrated a disturbing pattern of interest in sexual activity with children, further evidenced by his contempt for the victim, whom he and his brother had abused decades earlier. The judge highlighted the serious and substantial harm inflicted on the victim, who, over 40 years later, still felt the effects of her trauma. Her victim statement, read aloud during Stephen Bassett's sentencing, detailed her feelings of shame, fear, and emotional damage, emphasizing that the abuse had left her feeling tainted and isolated. She expressed her anger and disappointment towards Stephen Bassett, asserting that no prison sentence could undo the harm he caused.

The court also acknowledged that Gordon's own health had been affected by a significant injury sustained during his military service, adding context to his psychological state. The case underscored the long-lasting impact of childhood abuse and the importance of justice for victims who often carry their trauma silently for decades.

Both brothers grew up in Hedon, with Stephen later living in Withernsea and Goole. Their criminal activities, spanning from the 1970s through the 1980s, included driving victims to remote locations and subjecting them to sexual violence. Despite their denials, the jury's verdicts confirmed their guilt, and the court made it clear that their actions caused profound and lasting harm to their victims. The case serves as a stark reminder of the enduring scars of childhood sexual abuse and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of how much time has passed.