STEVE CAFFERKEY'S REIGN OF TERROR IN GLOUCESTER: PREDATORY SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED AGAIN

In April 2013, the city of Gloucester faced the grim reality of a repeated predator as Steven Cafferkey, a known sex offender, was once again brought to justice for his disturbing actions. Cafferkey, a 51-year-old man originally from Ireland, residing on Parkend Road in Gloucester, was convicted of molesting both a woman and a 14-year-old schoolgirl, acts that have once again highlighted his dangerous and predatory nature.

Over the past sixteen years, Cafferkey has accumulated a lengthy criminal record, primarily involving sexual offenses. His history includes an eight-year prison sentence handed down in 1997 for three similar attacks, demonstrating a pattern of predatory behavior that has persisted over decades. Following his release, he was incarcerated again in January 2005 for four years, after being convicted of trespassing with the intent to commit a sexual offense in Gloucester. During this period, he spent a significant portion of his sentence in custody, reflecting the severity of his offenses and the ongoing concern about his risk to the community.

Most recently, Cafferkey was sentenced to 28 months in prison for his latest offenses. Judge William Hart addressed the court and the defendant directly, stating, "You are undoubtedly a predatory sexual offender taking advantage of any situation at which you can offend. You seem to accept you don’t have the capacity to control your urges. You are someone that cannot be managed in the community. You pose a huge risk to both adult women and female children." The judge’s comments underscored the dangerous nature of Cafferkey’s behavior and the ongoing threat he poses to society.

During the proceedings, the defense, represented by Jason Coulter, attempted to mitigate the circumstances. Coulter acknowledged Cafferkey’s awareness of his urges, describing him as someone who is frank about his problems, which are of significant concern. He explained that Cafferkey did not engineer the situations that led to his offenses; rather, he found himself alone with the victims, which he described as a troubling pattern. Coulter further characterized Cafferkey as a sex pest, potentially viewed by others as more dangerously inclined.

Additionally, Coulter highlighted that Cafferkey suffers from learning disabilities, which have hampered his ability to rehabilitate effectively in the past. He noted that Cafferkey, who expressed a desire to return to Ireland after serving his current sentence, has demonstrated a pattern of inappropriate behavior, especially when he knows he should not act on his urges. Coulter remarked, "He behaves inappropriately when he knows he should not. He was released from that sentence last year and relatively shortly after that he has got himself in trouble again. He knows he has got problems but he seems incapable of helping himself."

As Cafferkey begins his latest incarceration, the community in Gloucester remains vigilant, aware of his history and the ongoing risks associated with his behavior. His repeated offenses serve as a stark reminder of the importance of monitoring and managing individuals with such dangerous predatory tendencies to protect vulnerable members of society.