MAN JAILED OVER SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON CHILDREN
Update: Sex offender who preyed on young girls on their way home from school in Tameside has died behind bars, it has been confirmed.Steven Collins was jailed for seven years and six months in 2022 after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual assault.
The then 23-year-old had 'deliberately targeted' girls in uniform, attacked two teenagers on buses and another outside a shop, threatening to kill one girl and following two of them home.
Collins was caught out after two of his victims managed to take pictures of him as he tried to film under their school skirts in Tameside.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has confirmed that Collins, now 25, died at Wymott Prison, near Leyland, on March 26.
An investigation into his death has been launched.
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Steven Collins, born on June 26, 1999, and residing on Pink Street in Burnley, became the focus of a serious criminal investigation following his targeting of four young females under the age of 16.
These incidents occurred both on public transportation and within a supermarket in Ashton-under-Lyne, causing significant alarm and distress among the victims.
Collins's troubling behavior included inappropriate touching, threats, and persistent stalking, all of which inflicted severe emotional turmoil on the young girls.
Despite efforts by the victims to seek help, two of them managed to capture photographs of Collins using their mobile phones, providing vital evidence that led law enforcement directly to him.
On Wednesday, October 19, 2022, Collins appeared in Manchester Crown Court where he faced justice for the crimes he committed.
During the hearing, he pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault, which resulted in a sentencing that reflects the gravity of his offenses.
The court sentenced Collins to seven years and six months in prison, a punishment that underscores the seriousness of his actions.
In addition, the court imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for a period of ten years, restricting his behavior and contact in future situations.
Moreover, Collins was ordered to be registered on the Sex Offender’s Register for life, a measure aimed at ongoing monitoring and protection of the community.
Detective Constable Victoria Eronini, a member of the Child Protection Investigation Unit based in Ashton, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome.
She emphasized the impact of Collins's actions, describing them as “absolutely horrendous” and commendable the bravery shown by the victims in coming forward.
"This is a good sentencing result for all involved," she stated.
Constable Eronini also highlighted the crucial role of the victims’ cooperation during the investigation.
“I would like to commend the bravery and strength of the victims coming forward to report the sexual assaults.
We know this can’t have been easy, and we are grateful for all of their assistance throughout the investigation,” she explained.
She further acknowledged that without the victims' assistance and courage, Collins’s dangerous and predatory behavior could have continued unchecked, with him potentially targeting more young females on the streets of Greater Manchester.
The resolution in this case represents a significant step towards safeguarding the youth and ensuring that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are held accountable.
