STEVEN LETTS OF GLOUCESTER CONVICTED OF KIDNAPPING AND RAPE OF 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL
| Red Rose Database
Gloucester Rapist
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Gloucester, Steven Letts, aged 39, has been found guilty of heinous crimes involving a young girl who was only 12 years old at the time of the incident. The case unfolded in Gloucester Crown Court, where the jury deliberated and convicted Letts on charges of kidnapping and raping a highly vulnerable minor.
According to court proceedings, the victim, a girl living in care, encountered Letts in Gloucester city centre on March 6. She was accompanied by a support worker from her care home, but after approaching Letts in the street and asking for a cigarette, she was persuaded to leave her support worker’s side. Letts, who resides on Barton Street in Gloucester, then took her to his flat located on Barton Close, where the disturbing events continued.
The court heard that Letts, in a calculated move, encouraged the girl to abandon her support worker, who had warned him that she was underage. Once at his flat, Letts supplied her with alcohol and cannabis, and notably allowed her to smoke cocaine through a pipe, claiming it was to see how her body would react, as it was her first experience with a Class A drug. Witnesses testified that Letts’s friend was present during this time but left the flat when the girl revealed her age.
The girl’s distressing ordeal escalated when she later questioned a social worker about the possibility of pregnancy, which led to the discovery of her sexual assault. The court detailed that Letts later kissed the girl in his kitchen, where she reaffirmed her age. She then became tired and lay down under a blanket in Letts’s bed, where he subsequently climbed in and began cuddling her. The situation quickly turned into sexual activity, which the girl described as going “from cuddling to just like too far.” The sexual encounter lasted approximately 30 minutes, during which the girl experienced pain and discomfort but felt unable to ask Letts to stop due to guilt and the influence of alcohol and drugs he had provided.
Police investigations confirmed the assault when DNA matching the girl was found inside Letts’s underwear after his arrest. Despite denying the allegations, Letts was convicted of both kidnapping and rape on November 6, 2017. He pleaded not guilty to the abduction and sexual assault charges but was found guilty on all counts.
Judge Jamie Tabor QC described Letts as “a very volatile man,” “a compulsive liar,” and “a man steeped in the use of drugs.” The judge emphasized the danger posed by Letts, labeling him a “dangerous” offender of particular concern. As a result, he was sentenced to eight years for the rape and an additional ten years for aggravated burglary, to be served consecutively. The court also ordered that Letts’s parole license be extended by an extra year, and he must register as a sex offender.
It was noted that Letts refused to attend his sentencing hearing. The judge further stated that he should not be released until the parole board is satisfied that he no longer poses a threat to the public.
In a separate trial, Letts was also convicted alongside another man for storming a couple’s house in Tredworth armed with a machete, adding to the list of his criminal activities.
Steven Letts’s familial connection to notorious serial killer Rose West was also highlighted during the proceedings. Rose West, born Rosemary Letts in Northam, Devon, was convicted in 1995 of murdering ten young girls and women, with their remains discovered at the house she shared with her husband, Fred West. Rose West is currently serving a life sentence at HMP Low Newton, Durham. Steven Letts is the nephew of Rose West, and his father is Graham Letts, a decorator who unwittingly assisted Fred West in the construction of the cellar at 25 Cromwell Street, where many of the murders took place.
During the trial, disturbing details emerged about Letts’s conduct with the young girl. It was revealed that he allowed her to smoke cocaine through a pipe, claiming it was to test her tolerance, and that he believed she was 16 at the time. The girl’s statement described how Letts kissed her and she told him she was only 15, fearing that her true age would prevent her from obtaining drugs and alcohol. She recounted that she initially thought she could manipulate the situation by lying about her age.
The court also heard that the sexual assault caused the girl pain, and she wanted Letts to stop but felt guilty because of the drugs and alcohol he had provided. The police found DNA evidence linking Letts to the girl’s assault, confirming her account. His mother, who was present in the courtroom, expressed her support for her son, stating, “I will still fight your corner,” as he was taken into custody.
Detective Constable Lindsay Tomkinson of Gloucestershire Constabulary praised the victim’s bravery in coming forward and emphasized the importance of the support provided by partner agencies. She stated, “I would like to thank the young victim who showed great courage and bravery in coming forward and for our partner agencies which provided invaluable assistance and support to the victim along the way. This has been a difficult case for the young victim to relive in court and for the witnesses who gave evidence during the trial. We will strive to do everything we can to bring offenders to justice and Letts is due to be sentenced for his crimes later this month.”
According to court proceedings, the victim, a girl living in care, encountered Letts in Gloucester city centre on March 6. She was accompanied by a support worker from her care home, but after approaching Letts in the street and asking for a cigarette, she was persuaded to leave her support worker’s side. Letts, who resides on Barton Street in Gloucester, then took her to his flat located on Barton Close, where the disturbing events continued.
The court heard that Letts, in a calculated move, encouraged the girl to abandon her support worker, who had warned him that she was underage. Once at his flat, Letts supplied her with alcohol and cannabis, and notably allowed her to smoke cocaine through a pipe, claiming it was to see how her body would react, as it was her first experience with a Class A drug. Witnesses testified that Letts’s friend was present during this time but left the flat when the girl revealed her age.
The girl’s distressing ordeal escalated when she later questioned a social worker about the possibility of pregnancy, which led to the discovery of her sexual assault. The court detailed that Letts later kissed the girl in his kitchen, where she reaffirmed her age. She then became tired and lay down under a blanket in Letts’s bed, where he subsequently climbed in and began cuddling her. The situation quickly turned into sexual activity, which the girl described as going “from cuddling to just like too far.” The sexual encounter lasted approximately 30 minutes, during which the girl experienced pain and discomfort but felt unable to ask Letts to stop due to guilt and the influence of alcohol and drugs he had provided.
Police investigations confirmed the assault when DNA matching the girl was found inside Letts’s underwear after his arrest. Despite denying the allegations, Letts was convicted of both kidnapping and rape on November 6, 2017. He pleaded not guilty to the abduction and sexual assault charges but was found guilty on all counts.
Judge Jamie Tabor QC described Letts as “a very volatile man,” “a compulsive liar,” and “a man steeped in the use of drugs.” The judge emphasized the danger posed by Letts, labeling him a “dangerous” offender of particular concern. As a result, he was sentenced to eight years for the rape and an additional ten years for aggravated burglary, to be served consecutively. The court also ordered that Letts’s parole license be extended by an extra year, and he must register as a sex offender.
It was noted that Letts refused to attend his sentencing hearing. The judge further stated that he should not be released until the parole board is satisfied that he no longer poses a threat to the public.
In a separate trial, Letts was also convicted alongside another man for storming a couple’s house in Tredworth armed with a machete, adding to the list of his criminal activities.
Steven Letts’s familial connection to notorious serial killer Rose West was also highlighted during the proceedings. Rose West, born Rosemary Letts in Northam, Devon, was convicted in 1995 of murdering ten young girls and women, with their remains discovered at the house she shared with her husband, Fred West. Rose West is currently serving a life sentence at HMP Low Newton, Durham. Steven Letts is the nephew of Rose West, and his father is Graham Letts, a decorator who unwittingly assisted Fred West in the construction of the cellar at 25 Cromwell Street, where many of the murders took place.
During the trial, disturbing details emerged about Letts’s conduct with the young girl. It was revealed that he allowed her to smoke cocaine through a pipe, claiming it was to test her tolerance, and that he believed she was 16 at the time. The girl’s statement described how Letts kissed her and she told him she was only 15, fearing that her true age would prevent her from obtaining drugs and alcohol. She recounted that she initially thought she could manipulate the situation by lying about her age.
The court also heard that the sexual assault caused the girl pain, and she wanted Letts to stop but felt guilty because of the drugs and alcohol he had provided. The police found DNA evidence linking Letts to the girl’s assault, confirming her account. His mother, who was present in the courtroom, expressed her support for her son, stating, “I will still fight your corner,” as he was taken into custody.
Detective Constable Lindsay Tomkinson of Gloucestershire Constabulary praised the victim’s bravery in coming forward and emphasized the importance of the support provided by partner agencies. She stated, “I would like to thank the young victim who showed great courage and bravery in coming forward and for our partner agencies which provided invaluable assistance and support to the victim along the way. This has been a difficult case for the young victim to relive in court and for the witnesses who gave evidence during the trial. We will strive to do everything we can to bring offenders to justice and Letts is due to be sentenced for his crimes later this month.”