STEPHEN ALBON FROM ARLESEY SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN BEDFORDSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the community of Arlesey, Bedfordshire, a man named Stephen Albon has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 14 years for the serious sexual abuse of a young girl. The incident, which spanned over nine months, involved disturbing misconduct against a girl who was only 11 and 12 years old at the time.

Albon, aged 46, was a supermarket worker at the time of his arrest. His victim confided in a friend at school, revealing the abuse, which prompted the girl to tell her mother. The mother then contacted the victim's own mother, leading to the police being called. Authorities responded swiftly, and Albon was taken into custody on September 8, 2012.

During the court proceedings, Sarah Gaunt, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, detailed that the abuse took place between December 1, 2009, and September 3, 2010, within East Bedfordshire. The defendant, who resided on Carters Close in Arlesey, faced multiple charges, including four counts of rape, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual acts, and one count of assault by penetration. Albon vehemently denied all allegations, claiming that nothing had occurred.

Despite his denials, a jury convicted him in February 2012 by a majority of 11 to 1. It was noted that Albon had a criminal history, including two previous convictions for drink driving and two for criminal damage. His background raised concerns about his character and the potential risk he posed to the community.

On April 10, 2012, Albon appeared before Luton Crown Court for sentencing. His defense lawyer, Helen McCormack, acknowledged that her client was aware of the severity of the sentence he faced. She emphasized that Albon was not a habitual criminal and had not spent much of his life in incarceration. McCormack also highlighted that Albon had been suffering from depression and suicidal tendencies at the time of the offenses, exacerbated by heavy alcohol consumption. She maintained that he continued to deny the allegations.

Judge Michael Baker QC addressed Albon directly during the sentencing, stating, “She knew what was going on was wrong, but could not bring herself to tell.” The judge emphasized the gravity of the crime and the impact on the victim. As part of his punishment, Albon was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from potential future harm.