EDGBASTON PAEDOPHILE STEVEN BOLTON SENTENCED FOR ATTACK NEAR BIRMINGHAM CITY BUS STOP

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Steven Bolton, a 63-year-old man from Edgbaston, has been sentenced to prison for a heinous sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl at a bus stop in Birmingham. The incident took place in the city during the months of April and May, with Bolton repeatedly approaching the young girl on different mornings as she waited for her school bus along the Avenue.

According to court proceedings, Bolton, who was already under a sexual offences prevention order due to a previous attack on a nine-year-old girl, targeted the teenager on at least two separate occasions. On the second encounter, he not only approached her but also embraced her in a manner that caused her to feel terrified. During this interaction, he groped her before abruptly leaving as her bus arrived, leaving the young girl visibly distressed and traumatized.

His Honour Judge Abbas Mithani sentenced Bolton to two years and four months in prison. The judge emphasized the danger Bolton poses to the public, stating, “You are a dangerous paedophile. You pose a significant risk of serious harm to the public by the commission of further offences of this type.” In addition to the custodial sentence, Bolton was subjected to an extended three-year licence period, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the ongoing risk he presents.

Prosecutor Adam Western highlighted Bolton’s criminal history, revealing that he has previous convictions for sexual offences dating back to 1974, with another conviction in 2004 for assaulting a nine-year-old girl, which resulted in an 18-month jail term and an extended licence. Western also noted that Bolton had breached his licence conditions on two occasions, once in 2007 and again in 2010, by engaging in inappropriate conversations with a 16-year-old girl in a supermarket.

Defence lawyer Nicola Purchase described Bolton as a man with no family or social connections, stating that he is entirely isolated. She expressed remorse on his behalf, saying, “He has no previous relationships with women, very little contact with family and no friends. He feels remorse and he would wish to express that through me to the court and to all of the people involved in this unfortunate matter.”

However, Judge Mithani dismissed Bolton’s expressions of remorse, asserting, “I am afraid I am unable to accept your expressions of remorse and regret. I find it inconceivable after everything I have heard about you that you are capable of feeling remorseful for your awful conduct.” The judge underscored the severity of the offence, noting that the young girl was clearly traumatized and that Bolton’s actions were not impulsive but carefully planned. The only reason he ceased his assault was due to the arrival of her bus, which interrupted his disturbing intentions.