MARGATE OFFENDER STEWART TOLLAN CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND GROOMING IN CANTERBURY
In June 2021, Stewart Tollan, a resident of Margate, was convicted of sexual assault after a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.The case involved a 16-year-old girl who was molested while she was asleep at a friend's home in 2019.
Margate-based Tollan, then 39 years old, initially claimed that he had been sleepwalking during the incident, explaining to police that he ‘was probably sleepwalking,’ and later denied attacking the girl altogether, asserting she had fabricated the accusation.
Judge Mark Weekes characterized Tollan as a “predatory paedophile” who “lied to the jury,” and indicated that he should expect a minimum of four years in prison when sentenced.
The judge commended the girl’s bravery for giving evidence in court, just six meters from Tollan.
The girl recounted how she awoke to Tollan preying on her after falling asleep in front of the television in a mutual acquaintance’s house at around 4 am.
After initially freezing in terror, she managed to escape once Tollan, who had been bingeing on alcohol and cocaine, fell asleep.
The jury quickly reached a unanimous verdict of guilt after just one hour.
The victim described the lasting trauma from the assault, stating, “What he did was shape me into the person I never wanted to become.
I never wanted to suffer depression — he did that to me.” She also shared her distress during the attack, revealing how she “froze” and repeatedly asked herself “why me?” while experiencing the assault, and explained, “I couldn’t make any noises, all I could do was slowly move and then I was frozen.” She added, “When you are in that situation it’s different.
You think you will punch him or think ‘I will get away’ — but you’ve got no control, you just freeze.” When asked what went through her mind at the time, she said, “Why is he doing this to me?
Why me?
Why is this happening?” Tollan, who lived on St Johns Crescent, sought to excuse his actions by claiming a sleep disorder caused him to molest the girl, but he withdrew this defense before the trial.
Prosecutor Daniel Stevenson explained, “The defendant said he sleepwalks and this happened while he was sleepwalking.
He said he sleepwalks a lot and has sleepwalked out of his house.” Despite this, Tollan’s case ultimately hinged on his own testimony, which the prosecution argued was simply his word against the victim’s, as he claimed she was “mistaken.” In addition to this case, Tollan's criminal history was highlighted, which included grooming and sexual activity with two young girls as an adult, as well as harassing another girl for sex in a graveyard, for which he was convicted in 2015.
Following his conviction, Tollan, represented by lawyer Allan Goh, was seen bowing his head, breathing heavily, and gulping.
Judge Weekes advised that Tollan can expect a sentence of at least four years in prison when he is sentenced on September 17, as reports are prepared to evaluate his potential dangerousness.
