STEVEN HUDDART AND ST HELENS: CONVICTIONS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN 2010 AND 2015

In December 2010, Steven Huddart, aged 21 and a resident of Padswood Drive, St Helens, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for engaging in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl. The court was told that Huddart invited the girl back to his brother’s flat where they had consensual sex. Prosecutor Anya Horwood explained that the offense took place sometime between October 2007 and April or May 2008 and was an isolated incident. She described Huddart’s actions as involving "cynical exploitation," though not premeditated. Judge David Harris QC characterized the act as an "opportunistic willingness to engage in utterly casual sexual activity," emphasizing that the interaction did not stem from any relationship, even an inappropriate one. Huddart has previous convictions for theft and possessing an offensive weapon. His defense lawyer, Ian Whitehurst, noted that Huddart was facing issues in his social circumstances.

In March 2015, Huddart, now 25 and from Drybeck Grove, Sutton, was convicted of attempting to rape a 10-year-old girl. Following this conviction, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court.