CHARLES STEALAY SHREWSBURY AND TREFONEN SEX OFFENDER JAILED FOR ABUSING GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the communities of Trefonen and Shrewsbury, Charles Stealey, a farm worker from the Trefonen area near Oswestry, has been sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over a decade. The 51-year-old, often referred to as ‘the white van man’ in local circles, was convicted of twelve separate charges, including three counts of rape, following a lengthy trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

Stealey’s criminal activities spanned from the year 2000 to 2010, during which he repeatedly assaulted young girls in various locations around Trefonen and Shrewsbury. His victims ranged in age from 11 to 17, and the abuse took place in different settings, including the back of his van, at their homes, and at other sites within the village. The severity and duration of his crimes have left a lasting scar on the victims and their families.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Peter Barrie expressed his deep concern over the profound and enduring harm caused by Stealey’s actions. He emphasized that the defendant’s use of a “dominating and violent personality” had enabled him to sustain his abusive behavior over many years. The judge pointed out that Stealey had consistently denied his offending and had shown no remorse, which he found particularly troubling. Judge Barrie remarked that Stealey appeared to believe his actions were “normal and acceptable,” a view that betrayed the trust of his victims and robbed them of their childhood innocence.

As part of the court proceedings, a victim impact statement was read aloud, revealing the devastating effect of Stealey’s abuse. One of the girls stated, “He has taken my childhood away from me. He has affected my present and is also going to affect my future.” Additionally, a video was shown in court featuring the other girl describing her ordeal, further highlighting the emotional toll inflicted by Stealey’s actions.

In sentencing, Stealey received six concurrent sentences ranging from three to seven years for indecent assaults and sexual activity with a child related to one of the victims. The seven-year sentence was to run consecutively with six other concurrent sentences, which ranged from three to ten years, for the three counts of rape involving the second girl. The total sentence reflects the gravity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victims.

Furthermore, Stealey was subjected to an indefinite sex offences prevention order, which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with any female under the age of 16. He was also banned from working with children for life and will remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. These measures aim to prevent any future harm and protect vulnerable individuals in the community.

Stealey, who previously resided in Trefonen, had denied 20 allegations of sexual abuse spanning from 2000 to 2010. He claimed that one of the victims had fabricated her story. Despite his denials, the jury convicted him of 12 charges, including the three counts of rape, involving the two girls under 16. He was acquitted of four other charges of rape and one sexual assault involving an adult woman. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on two additional allegations involving a third girl, and the prosecution announced that they would not seek a retrial, resulting in formal not guilty verdicts on those counts.

In a related statement, Detective Sergeant Darren Capener of the West Mercia Police child protection unit expressed his satisfaction with the conviction. He highlighted the long and complex investigation that began in September 2011 after one of the victims reported the abuse. DS Capener described Stealey as a “sexual predator” who manipulated and threatened his victims, exerting control over them during a sustained period of abuse. He praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward and hoped that the case would encourage others to seek help and report abuse.

DS Capener also emphasized the importance of victims feeling confident to contact the police, assuring that officers are trained to handle such cases with sensitivity. He urged anyone suffering from similar abuse to come forward, reinforcing that no one should endure such suffering in silence. The police are committed to supporting victims and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice, as demonstrated by the high-profile cases that have recently garnered national attention.