GARETH STEPHENSON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN ABERYSTWYTH AND HAMPSHIRE

A man named Gareth Stephenson, aged 25 and residing in Reading, has been convicted of multiple sexual offences and received a sentence that reflects the severity of his crimes. The conviction was handed down at Portsmouth Crown Court after a lengthy trial during which the jury found him guilty of six counts related to sexual misconduct.

Stephenson's criminal activities spanned several years and locations, including his time as a student at Stanbridge Earls School in Hampshire and later in Aberystwyth. The offences included sexual assault on a male under the age of 13, with the incidents occurring when he was still a pupil at the special-needs school. The case revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse that extended over an eight-year period, highlighting the troubling nature of the offences.

Hayley Porter-Straw, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, described the case as complex and deeply troubling. She emphasized that Gareth Stephenson was himself a vulnerable adult, suffering from ADHD, which adds a layer of concern regarding his actions. Porter-Straw stated, "It is disturbing that he started abusing children when he was a child aged 11."

She further explained that at the age of 15, Stephenson began abusing fellow pupils, some of whom were as much as two years younger than him. The abuse continued into his late teens, with one particularly serious incident occurring when he was 18, involving a sexual assault on a 12-year-old boy in Wales, specifically in Aberystwyth.

In terms of sentencing, Stephenson received a two-year prison sentence, but this was suspended for two years, meaning he will not serve time unless he commits another offence within that period. Additionally, he was subjected to a 12-month supervision order and ordered to complete 175 hours of unpaid community service. During the trial, he was acquitted of three other counts related to sexual activity with a male under 16.

Gareth Stephenson's residence is listed as Anstey Road, Reading, and he was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court. The case also brought attention to Stanbridge Earls School, which closed in 2014. This independent institution, once charging up to £40,000 annually, catered to 191 boarding and day pupils with special needs, aged from 10 to 19. The school’s closure marked the end of an era for a facility that once served many families.

As part of his sentence, Stephenson will be on the sexual offender register for ten years. He has also been issued a sexual harm prevention order that will remain in effect for five years, restricting his activities and monitoring his conduct to prevent further harm.