The Worksop Paedophile, Michael Stevens has received a 17-year sentence for the recurrent rape and sexual abuse of two minors. An investigation conducted by a South Yorkshire Police investigator, initiated last year, resulted in the successful prosecution of 32-year-old Michael Stevens.
Authorities initially apprehended Michael Stevens on 26 August 2023 following the courageous complaint of one of his victims regarding the abuse endured. During his apprehension, a property search resulted in the discovery of mobile devices that Michael Stevens had endeavoured to hide from law enforcement at his residence. Data from the phones enabled authorities to ascertain a second victim.
The forensic analysis of the devices revealed extensive digital evidence of indecent photographs of children, as well as instances of rape and sexual abuse involving two girls, aged three and nine, at the onset of the abuse, which persisted over several years.
Subsequently, officers apprehended Michael Stevens in November 2023 on allegations of possessing obscene photos of minors and voyeurism.
Detective Constable Wendy Howe, from the Sheffield Protecting Vulnerable People team, said:
“I would like to commend the bravery of the young girls in coming forward to report the horrific abuse they suffered at the hands of Michael Stevens.
“It is thanks to their bravery and support throughout the investigation that Michael Stevens will now spend the next 17 years of his life behind bars.
“The rape and sexual abuse that Michael Stevens subjected his victims to will no doubt leave severe and lasting damage on them, but I hope that this result offers the girls the chance to begin to rebuild their lives.
“I’m pleased that we have secured a lengthy prison sentence and that we have removed a dangerous and abusive man from the streets.”
On Friday (15 November), Michael Stevens, of Watson Road, Worksop, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to 16 years in prison and one year on licence, and handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Restraining Order against his victims.
Michael Stevens had previously pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at the same court to five counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, one count of rape of a child under 13, eight counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of a child, one count of voyeurism, and one of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
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