STEVEN FALLS FROM STONELEA, WEST BROMWICH, JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF BOY AND THREATENING HIS BABY

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Stonelea and West Bromwich, Steven Falls, a 35-year-old man formerly known as Steve Porter, has been sentenced to three years in prison for heinous crimes committed nearly two decades ago. The offences involved the sexual abuse of a six-year-old boy and the subsequent sending of a disturbing text message that reignited painful memories for the victim.

Falls, who resided in Stonelea, Windmill Hill, Runcorn, at the time of the offences, was convicted after a trial at Guildford Crown Court on December 16, 2010. The court heard that he had committed two acts of buggery and three counts of indecent assault against the young boy. Despite denying all charges, the jury found him guilty based on the evidence presented.

According to the court proceedings, the victim, now 25 years old, had kept his suffering secret for nearly 20 years. It was only when he received a text message from Falls, congratulating him on becoming a father and expressing a disturbing desire to get his hands on his baby, that he decided to report the incident to the police. The message, which included the phrase “I can’t wait to get my hands on him,” was the catalyst that prompted the victim to come forward.

Detectives uncovered that Falls had changed his surname from Porter to Falls by deed poll, possibly to evade recognition or for other personal reasons. At the time of his conviction, Falls was living on Jubilee Road in West Bromwich. The court noted that he had lived in Runcorn from 2005 to 2008, but his criminal activities spanned a significant period.

Judge Christopher Critchlow addressed the court, emphasizing the lasting impact of Falls’ actions on his victim. “It has affected his life,” the judge stated, highlighting the profound and enduring trauma caused by the sexual assaults. The judge also pointed out that the maximum sentence for buggery is life imprisonment, and for indecent assaults, it is up to 10 years. However, considering the long passage of time and the fact that Falls was only 16 when the offences occurred, the judge opted for a reduced sentence.

Judge Critchlow warned that if these offences had been committed in the present day, they would likely be classified as rape, which carries even harsher penalties. As part of his sentence, Falls was ordered to register as a sex offender and was prohibited from working with children, aiming to prevent any further harm.

The victim, who is now married, revealed that he had kept his ordeal hidden for nearly two decades. His fears intensified when he learned that Falls was involved in running a boys’ soccer team, which raised concerns about the safety of children under his supervision. The victim’s decision to come forward was driven by his concern for his own child’s safety, especially after receiving the threatening message from Falls.

During the court proceedings, Adrienne Knight, representing Falls, stated that the defendant’s involvement in drugs had contributed to his criminal behavior. She also mentioned that Falls had since turned his life around and changed his name to protect his family from the shame and stigma associated with his past crimes. Knight emphasized that Falls wanted to distance himself from his previous actions and the criminal proceedings that had brought him to justice.