JOHN STAGEMAN FROM DYMCHURCH SENTENCED IN KENT FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE NEAR ROMNEY MARSH

In a harrowing case that has spanned decades, John Stageman, a 73-year-old resident of Dymchurch, has been convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison for heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl during the 1980s. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing history of abuse that took place at a guest house he operated near Romney Marsh, a location well known for its scenic beauty but now infamous for this dark chapter.

Stageman’s criminal activities first came to light when the victim, who was only seven years old at the time, bravely reported the abuse in February 2013. The court was told that during the 1980s, while running a guesthouse in St Mary’s Bay, Stageman subjected the young girl to multiple acts of sexual violence, including four counts of rape, two counts of indecent assault, and two counts of gross indecency with a child. To silence her and prevent her from revealing the truth, he would give her presents and threaten to call the police to take her away if she ever disclosed what was happening.

Further complicating the case was the fact that Stageman later raped the same victim when she was an adult, adding a layer of betrayal and cruelty to his long history of abuse. When the victim finally decided to speak out, it marked a significant turning point in her life, leading to a police investigation that spanned several years.

Upon learning of the investigation, Stageman fled the UK, heading to Thailand in an attempt to evade justice. His flight was motivated by a desire to escape prosecution, and he refused to return to the UK for trial. For three years, he remained in Thailand, a country where other notorious paedophiles, such as Gary Glitter, had sought refuge. The Thai authorities, however, eventually revoked his visa, and he was expelled from the country. His return to the UK was marked by his arrest upon landing, bringing an end to his years of evasion.

The court also heard that Stageman had a prior history of similar allegations. In 2005, he was acquitted after the Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges against him. The court had previously ruled that he was unfit to stand trial due to his mental and physical health, leading to his formal acquittal. This earlier case involved allegations of sexual abuse dating back to the 1970s, when he was a property owner and operator of a gift arcade and Bed and Breakfast in the region.

His legal troubles began in January 2000, with multiple arrests and hearings over the following years. Despite numerous court appearances, Stageman repeatedly failed to stand trial, citing psychiatric and medical issues. In 2001, the prosecution discontinued the case against him and his wife, Lynne, a parish councillor, after ruling he was unfit to proceed. Further arrests in 2002 and subsequent legal maneuvers, including applications to the Attorney General and abuse of process claims, resulted in the case being dropped once again.

It was only after a woman came forward in 2012, alleging she had been raped and abused by Stageman in the 1970s, that the case was revived. Following a two-week trial at Maidstone Crown Court, a jury found him guilty of multiple charges, including rape and indecent assault. The victim, who had moved to the West Country, provided emotional and detailed testimony, recounting her ordeal and the devastating impact it had on her life.

During her testimony, she revealed that she became pregnant after the assaults, uncertain whether her husband or Stageman was the father. Tragically, she suffered a miscarriage, and her anguish was compounded by her inability to prove who the biological father was. She described how she had begged Stageman to leave her alone before one of the attacks, and recounted how he had dismissed her concerns, claiming he had undergone a vasectomy and could not father children. Her account detailed violent and aggressive behavior from Stageman, including hitting her, grabbing her hair, and attempting to kiss and assault her in his car.

The jury was shown a video recording of her speaking about her experiences, and her emotional testimony underscored the severity of his crimes. Judge Heather Norton indicated that Stageman should expect a lengthy prison sentence, reflecting the gravity of his offenses and the suffering inflicted upon his victims. This case has brought long-overdue justice for a woman who endured decades of abuse, finally able to see her abuser held accountable in a court of law.