SEX OFFENDER STEVEN HALTON SENTENCED IN LIVERPOOL FOR HISTORIC ABUSE CASES
A teenage girl tragically expressed her despair, saying she 'didn't want to be here anymore,' after being sexually abused by a predatory taxi driver.Steven Halton, 58, assaulted two teenage girls in disturbing attacks separated by approximately 25 years.
His first victim, referred to as Girl A, came forward after the second victim, Girl B, reported her abuse to police, exposing Halton's pattern of predatory behavior.
Halton, of Merlewood Avenue in Southport, denied all allegations, forcing both victims to relive their traumatic experiences during a difficult trial.
Nevertheless, he was convicted on 10 counts of indecent assault against Girl A and four counts of sexual activity with a minor concerning Girl B.
During today’s proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, Halton maintained his innocence.
Judge Brian Cummings, QC, stated, 'The factual basis upon which I will sentence you is one of which I am myself sure, having heard the evidence.' The judge detailed the nature of the abuse: Halton molested Girl A multiple times, touching her breasts, buttocks, and genital area over clothing, forcibly kissed her, and committed sexual acts involving penetration, all in the 1990s.
The judge added, 'He made her life a misery.' Regarding Girl B, the judge explained that Halton groomed her in the last decade, kissing her 'insistently and in a manner that the jury rightly found was sexual.' This abuse occurred on four occasions, including an incident where he tried to undo her bra and unzip her jeans, and another when he gave her a taxi ride, during which he touched her upper leg and groin over her clothes.
A victim statement from Girl B’s father was read out, in which he described the discovery of his daughter’s ordeal as 'devastating.' Prosecutor Frank Dillon highlighted that the family’s lives had been 'turned upside down' and emphasized the emotional toll on them.
The father admitted, 'He feels bad that he perhaps misread his daughter's moods and had not understood them.' Judge Cummings responded, 'Parents always feel bad but for what it's worth, he really shouldn't.' Girl B recounted how Halton exploited her, leading to 'sleepless nights, bad dreams, and trauma that is indescribable.' She sought counseling, describing a period where she felt hopeless and didn't want to continue living.
She told the court, 'She went through a stage of not wanting to be here anymore, when she saw no purpose and was really down.' The abuse left her feeling 'worthless and weak,' and she said the memories would stay with her forever.
Girl A expressed her ongoing struggles with low self-esteem, confidence issues, and fear of disbelief.
Now an adult, she admitted to feeling 'guilty' for not reporting her abuse sooner, believing her delay might have prevented Girl B from being molested.
Judge Cummings reiterated that the blame did not rest with her.
She described how the trial was 'unbearable,' facing anger and attending counseling to rebuild her life.
The court noted that Halton had a limited history of dishonesty convictions from 1985 to 1990.
Defense lawyer Charlotte Kenny stated, 'Your honour will of course have noted the defendant's position.
He maintains his innocence.
That ultimately will be a matter for him and his reflection and hopefully there will come a point in time when there is at least an appreciation of the position and consequence.' She admitted, 'There is very little I can say on his behalf, he having entered into a trial.' Judge Cummings emphasized the seriousness of the case, noting that Halton's multiple offenses and their lifelong effects were particularly aggravating.
He sentenced Halton to 15 years in prison, ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life, and imposed both a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order indefinitely.
Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Paula Furlong commented, 'Halton continued to deny his offending, meaning his victims were forced to endure a trial.
I am pleased he will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars for his actions.' She praised the victims for their courage and dignity throughout the investigation, adding, 'By seeing him sent to prison, I hope they can find some closure and move on with their lives, knowing he cannot harm anyone else.' Finally, she urged anyone with similar experiences to come forward: 'We are committed to protecting victims of sexual offenses, and anyone who reports an incident will be supported throughout the process.'
