ALAN STANHOPE FROM BUCKLAND SENTENCED FOR ABUSE IN PORTSMOUTH

In July 2018, a harrowing case of child abuse came to light involving Alan Stanhope, a man from Buckland, Portsmouth, who was convicted of heinous crimes against a young girl named Shannon. The disturbing details reveal that Stanhope, now 39, had groomed Shannon from the age of 13, manipulating her into a dark secret that she was forced to carry for years.

Shannon, who is now 21, bravely decided to break her silence after enduring years of abuse. She described how Stanhope, her stepfather, exerted a perverted influence over her, going as far as insisting she call him 'dad' and legally change her surname to his. Her silence was driven by fear, and she kept the abuse hidden from everyone for a long time. However, her courage to speak out eventually led her to tell her mother, report the matter to the police, and face her abuser in court.

Stanhope’s actions included sending Shannon sexually explicit messages and seeking opportunities to be alone with her, all while pretending to be a caring stepfather. He met Shannon’s mother when Shannon was just 13, and over the years, he ingratiated himself into the Portsmouth family, gradually turning their lives into a nightmare for Shannon. The abuse was not limited to physical acts but also involved emotional manipulation, with Stanhope claiming he was in love with Shannon and calling their encounters 'us time.'

Shannon recounted how the abuse escalated over time, with Stanhope messaging her when she was out with friends and trying to prevent her from socializing. Despite her resistance, he persisted, and she felt increasingly harassed and trapped. Her feelings of despair grew until November 2016, when her mother discovered suspicious messages on Stanhope’s phone. Shannon urged her mother to look at the messages, which revealed Stanhope’s inappropriate and loving messages directed at her.

Stanhope denied the charges, claiming that the messages were sent by mistake, but the court found him guilty of nine counts of sexual activity with a child. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his crimes. The verdict brought a sense of relief to Shannon, who expressed her happiness about Stanhope’s incarceration. She has since found happiness with a new boyfriend and is expecting a girl.

In an emotional interview, Shannon waived her anonymity to raise awareness about such abuse. She emphasized that her primary motivation was to prevent other children from suffering similar trauma. She shared her feelings of being trapped in a life of secrecy and fear, and how her experience has shaped her outlook on the future. Despite the shame and embarrassment, she hopes her story will serve as a warning and inspire others to come forward.

Shannon’s testimony was pivotal in securing Stanhope’s conviction. She faced her abuser in court, providing evidence that led to a unanimous guilty verdict. Her courage in speaking out has not only brought justice but also marked a significant step toward healing and awareness for victims of similar abuse.