ROCHESTER SEX OFFENDER STEVEN KINSELLA SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS FOR ATTACK ON TEENAGE GIRL

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Rochester, Steven Kinsella, a man with a troubling criminal history, has been convicted of a serious sexual assault that took place on a quiet street in the early hours of September 25 last year. The incident involved a teenage girl who was walking home after visiting the City Wall pub, a popular local spot in Rochester. As she made her way along Crow Lane, she noticed a man on a mountain bike, dressed in shorts, riding around and lurking near a bench opposite the pub. This individual, later identified as Kinsella, was seen on CCTV footage stalking the victim as she proceeded along her route.

According to the young woman’s account, she initially felt uneasy, sensing that she was being followed. Her fears intensified when she was suddenly pushed from behind, causing her to fall to the ground. The attacker then began to touch her all over her body, including attempting to lift her skirt and pulling at her underwear. Despite her efforts to defend herself by punching him, she was unable to break free immediately. The assault continued until she managed to escape, running towards Watts Avenue in a desperate attempt to find safety.

After reaching her friend’s house, she called the police, suffering from bruises and grazes on her wrists and legs. She attended a police identification procedure but was unable to pick out her attacker from a lineup. However, another witness was able to identify Kinsella as the man seen lurking near the pub and stalking the victim.

During the investigation, a resident of Rochester provided a statement describing how he was awakened by screams in the early morning hours. He recounted looking outside and seeing a young woman on her back on the ground, with a male on top of her, struggling to get away. The witness observed the attacker riding off on his bike as he went to his front door. The police later linked Kinsella to the assault, and he was arrested and charged.

At his trial, Kinsella denied the sexual assault, claiming he had been at home all evening and had no involvement in the incident. However, the jury, composed of seven men and five women, was presented with overwhelming evidence, including CCTV footage and witness testimonies. The court was also informed of Kinsella’s previous convictions for similar offenses, including sex assaults on young women on a train and at a railway station in 2004, for which he served just over three years of a five-year sentence.

Judge Michael Carroll, presiding over the case, did not hold back in his assessment of Kinsella’s dangerousness. He stated, “I would take leave of my senses, wouldn’t I, if I came to any other conclusion than he is a dangerous man.” Recognizing the severity of the crime and Kinsella’s criminal history, the judge sentenced him to a total of seven years in prison, with an extended license period of two additional years to ensure public safety. The judge emphasized the frightening nature of the attack and the fact that violence and sexual contact had been used against the victim.

Following the conviction, Kinsella’s name will be entered onto the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, marking a significant and lasting consequence of his actions. His defense attorney, Philip Sinclair, expressed difficulty in finding mitigation, stating, “I am struggling for mitigation, because frankly there is none.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding sexual violence and the importance of community safety in Rochester.