In March, the Scarborough Paedophile, Stephen John Mitchell, 67, of Northstead Flats, admitted guilt to six crimes, including the rape of a minor on five occasions, four instances of child indecency, and one case of indecent assault on a child.
The allegations extend back to the 1990s and include many instances in which Stephen John Mitchell assaulted the youngster, such as urging him to masturbate, conduct oral sex, and engage in penetration.
Stephen John Mitchell was incarcerated at York Crown Court on 13 May 2025 and was additionally subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The abuse commenced during the boy’s primary school years, as Stephen John Mitchell initiated grooming by providing him with meals and permitting him to watch cartoons on satellite television alongside him. Shortly thereafter, he commenced displaying pornographic films and subsequently engaged in self-stimulatory sexual actions in the presence of the youngster.
This culminated in encouraging the boy to reciprocate and engage in various sexual actions with Mitchell. The maltreatment persisted for years, with Mitchell threatening to harm a younger child, who was associated with the victim, if he disclosed the abuse to anybody.
In his victim personal statement presented in court, the adult victim directly addressed Mitchell, asserting: “You no longer possess control over me, and you cannot annihilate me or my family.” I have never been closer to my family and can now relish a life beyond my professional obligations. I employed employment as a mechanism to suppress my thoughts and emotions, labouring for extended hours. I can finally relish a life devoid of your influence. I have emerged from this experience as a significantly stronger individual. I shall never absolve you, Mitchell; the gates of perdition await your arrival.
Anne Yates, the investigating officer and Police Staff Investigator from our Safeguarding Investigation Team, stated: “Stephen John Mitchell has exhibited no remorse for the egregious abuse he perpetrated against an innocent child.”
“The victim has shown immense courage in coming forward and providing the evidence that gave Stephen John Mitchell no option but to plead guilty.
“No child should ever have to experience the trauma that he had to endure over a prolonged period of time. But he has come through this strong and with hope for the future, which is truly admirable. I hope he continues to move on with his life, putting this trauma behind him, knowing that Stephen John Mitchell is now facing the consequences of his depraved abuse.”
PSI Yates added: “I urge anyone who has been a victim of abuse to contact us if you have not already.
“We have support services and specially-trained offices to help people consider their options and work through what has happened to them. We are here to help, regardless of how long ago the offences happened.”
If you are a victim of abuse, please do not suffer in silence. You can report it through any of the following methods:
- Please contact the police on 101.
- If you are in immediate danger, always dial 999 for an emergency response
- Victims who would prefer not to go direct to the police and are not in immediate danger, can contact Bridge House, North Yorkshire’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), on 0330 223 0362, email sarc@nhs.net or go to www.acerhousesarc.co.uk
- You can also contact Supporting Victims direct at supportingvictims.org or call 01609 643100
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.