STEVE DEAMER: BOREHAMWOOD AND CHRISTCHURCH BUS DRIVER SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF STEP-DAUGHTER
| Red Rose Database
Christchurch Borehamwood Rapist
In a case that has spanned decades and crossed county lines, Steven Deamer, a 60-year-old bus driver, was sentenced to eight years in prison for the heinous crimes committed against his step-daughter in Borehamwood. The abuse began when the victim was just 11 years old and continued over a period of five years during the early to mid-1980s, a time when she was most vulnerable and trusting.
Deamer’s criminal actions came to light after the victim, Donna Harvey, now aged 40, decided to come forward and seek justice. Her courage in revealing the long-suppressed memories has finally resulted in a conviction, bringing closure to a painful chapter of her life. Donna, who remains a resident of Borehamwood and is a mother of three boys, expressed her relief and satisfaction with the outcome of the trial. She stated, “I am really pleased I have got justice after all these years. The truth has finally come out. I am really happy with the sentence. Four years in prison and four years on a tag and putting him on the sex offenders’ register for life means his life will never be the same. I can start living my life now and move on.”
During the court proceedings at St Albans Crown Court, it was revealed that Deamer’s abuse was not limited to his step-daughter alone. Donna disclosed that she had also been subjected to abuse by her maternal grandfather, a secret she kept from her mother for many years. Deamer, in an effort to silence Donna and prevent her from revealing the full extent of his misconduct, threatened to disclose her grandfather’s abuse if she ever tried to tell her mother. This manipulation and coercion allowed Deamer to continue his assault on Donna until she was 16 years old, often when her mother was away from home on Thursdays or Fridays.
Deamer’s criminal record was otherwise clean, and he did not take the stand during his trial. He was found guilty of three counts of rape and one count of indecent assault. His defense lawyer, Justin Rouse, argued that Deamer had maintained contact with numerous children over the years without any complaints, describing him as a conscientious and hardworking individual in a letter presented to the court. Rouse emphasized, “He has been driving youngsters around for years and there has never been any complaint.”
However, Judge Marie Catterson did not accept these mitigating factors. She sentenced Deamer to eight years in prison, with the stipulation that he will serve half of that term before being released on license. The judge emphasized the severity of Deamer’s actions, stating, “You carried out serious sexual abuse of your step-daughter from 1980 to 1985 when she was aged 11 to 15. The first occasion she can recall was when you indecently assaulted her at the family home, and matters progressed to full sexual intercourse by the time she was 12.”
Donna Harvey’s account detailed how she attempted to confide in her mother during her teenage years, but Deamer’s threats prevented her from doing so. The judge highlighted the profound impact of Deamer’s betrayal, describing it as “the gravest possible breach of trust,” especially considering Donna’s awareness of her grandfather’s abuse at the time. The court acknowledged the lasting psychological scars inflicted by Deamer’s actions, which continue to influence Donna’s life today. As part of his sentence, Deamer is required to register as a sex offender for life and is prohibited from working with children in any capacity, ensuring he will be closely monitored moving forward.
Deamer’s criminal actions came to light after the victim, Donna Harvey, now aged 40, decided to come forward and seek justice. Her courage in revealing the long-suppressed memories has finally resulted in a conviction, bringing closure to a painful chapter of her life. Donna, who remains a resident of Borehamwood and is a mother of three boys, expressed her relief and satisfaction with the outcome of the trial. She stated, “I am really pleased I have got justice after all these years. The truth has finally come out. I am really happy with the sentence. Four years in prison and four years on a tag and putting him on the sex offenders’ register for life means his life will never be the same. I can start living my life now and move on.”
During the court proceedings at St Albans Crown Court, it was revealed that Deamer’s abuse was not limited to his step-daughter alone. Donna disclosed that she had also been subjected to abuse by her maternal grandfather, a secret she kept from her mother for many years. Deamer, in an effort to silence Donna and prevent her from revealing the full extent of his misconduct, threatened to disclose her grandfather’s abuse if she ever tried to tell her mother. This manipulation and coercion allowed Deamer to continue his assault on Donna until she was 16 years old, often when her mother was away from home on Thursdays or Fridays.
Deamer’s criminal record was otherwise clean, and he did not take the stand during his trial. He was found guilty of three counts of rape and one count of indecent assault. His defense lawyer, Justin Rouse, argued that Deamer had maintained contact with numerous children over the years without any complaints, describing him as a conscientious and hardworking individual in a letter presented to the court. Rouse emphasized, “He has been driving youngsters around for years and there has never been any complaint.”
However, Judge Marie Catterson did not accept these mitigating factors. She sentenced Deamer to eight years in prison, with the stipulation that he will serve half of that term before being released on license. The judge emphasized the severity of Deamer’s actions, stating, “You carried out serious sexual abuse of your step-daughter from 1980 to 1985 when she was aged 11 to 15. The first occasion she can recall was when you indecently assaulted her at the family home, and matters progressed to full sexual intercourse by the time she was 12.”
Donna Harvey’s account detailed how she attempted to confide in her mother during her teenage years, but Deamer’s threats prevented her from doing so. The judge highlighted the profound impact of Deamer’s betrayal, describing it as “the gravest possible breach of trust,” especially considering Donna’s awareness of her grandfather’s abuse at the time. The court acknowledged the lasting psychological scars inflicted by Deamer’s actions, which continue to influence Donna’s life today. As part of his sentence, Deamer is required to register as a sex offender for life and is prohibited from working with children in any capacity, ensuring he will be closely monitored moving forward.