PAUL STEVENS FROM LAINDON SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING SLEEPING GIRL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Laindon, Paul Stevens, aged 43, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after admitting to heinous acts involving a six-year-old girl. The incident took place in August 2008, when Stevens unlawfully entered the young girl’s bedroom and pulled back her covers to take indecent photographs while she was asleep.

During the court proceedings at Basildon Crown Court, Judge Rupert Overbury addressed Stevens’ claims that he was coerced into committing the offence by an unknown man. Stevens had alleged that he was being blackmailed, with the man threatening to report him for possessing child pornography unless he carried out the illegal act and sent him the photographs. However, Judge Overbury dismissed these claims as entirely false and implausible.

Judge Overbury stated, “I find this explanation manifestly false and implausible. I am not alone in these views. An experienced probation officer indicated that this does not seem like a credible explanation for the commission of these offences, and I believe Mr. Stevens is in complete denial.” The judge further emphasized the gravity of the crime, asserting that Stevens committed these acts for his own sexual gratification, touching a young girl and taking photographs of her to store on his computer for future personal pleasure.

In addition to the prison sentence, Stevens was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order. This order strictly prohibits him from engaging in any unsupervised work with individuals under the age of 16, being in the company of minors without supervision, or communicating with anyone under 16. He is also barred from owning or using a computer or mobile device with internet access unless in a public library, and he must allow police officers access to his home at any time for inspection.

Furthermore, Stevens, who has now been required to register as a sex offender for life, previously pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault of a child under 13 and taking indecent photographs of a child. The court also ordered the seizure and destruction of two computer towers, a camera, and a mobile phone that were confiscated from his residence in Laindon.

This case highlights the serious nature of child exploitation crimes and the ongoing efforts of the justice system to protect vulnerable minors from such predators.