WIDNES SEX OFFENDERS STEPHEN BUTLER AND EDWARD WHITFIELD SENTENCED FOR ABUSE

In a harrowing series of events that have shocked the community of Widnes, Cheshire, two men have been convicted and sentenced for their heinous acts of child abuse and sexual assault. The first, Stephen Butler, a man with a disturbing criminal history, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Warrington Crown Court in May 2007 after he pleaded guilty to raping a minor. His conviction marked the culmination of years of suffering endured by his young victim, who bravely came forward to ensure justice was served.

Meanwhile, Edward Whitfield, also from Widnes, pleaded guilty in May 2004 to abusing a child and received a three-year jail sentence. Despite his incarceration, Whitfield remains on license until 2009, and he has returned to his family life with his wife and children, raising questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in preventing further harm.

The story of Joanne Baker, the young woman at the center of this tragic case, reveals the depths of the abuse inflicted by these two men. Joanne, now 19, recounted her ordeal of being repeatedly raped by her stepfather, Stephen Butler, from the age of nine. Her account is both heartbreaking and courageous, shedding light on the long-lasting scars left by her abusers.

Joanne described how her life changed forever when her mother, Helen, brought Stephen Butler into their home in Widnes. She was just a happy seven-year-old girl unaware of the dark secrets her stepfather harbored. Butler, who was 40 at the time and had previously served a two-year sentence for sexually assaulting a child, began to abuse Joanne under the guise of reading her stories in bed. However, his actions quickly escalated, and he began touching her inappropriately while she was under the duvet.

The abuse worsened over time, culminating in Butler taking Joanne’s virginity when she was only nine years old. The young girl described the pain and confusion she felt, recalling how Butler tried to convince her that what he was doing was normal. Her suffering was compounded by her mother’s ignorance, as Joanne believed her injuries were due to riding her bike. By the age of 11, Joanne was overwhelmed by despair and attempted to take her own life by swallowing paracetamol tablets, an act that landed her in hospital for stomach washing. She kept her pain hidden, unable to tell anyone about the abuse.

Butler’s manipulation extended beyond physical abuse; he blackmailed Joanne into silence by forcing her to perform sex acts in exchange for cigarettes and money. His control over her was complete, and she felt trapped in a cycle of fear and coercion. When Joanne was 13, she hoped her life would improve after meeting her biological father, Edward Whitfield, who played darts at a local pub in Widnes. Her mother introduced them, and Joanne was initially excited to connect with her real dad, believing he would provide the love and support she desperately needed.

However, her relationship with Whitfield quickly turned sour. She described feeling uncomfortable around him, especially when he made inappropriate remarks and peered down her top. The situation worsened in 2003 when, at age 15, Whitfield assaulted her at his home. Joanne recounted how he initially tried to comfort her but then began to sexually assault her, lifting her top and touching her breasts. She was frozen with shock and fear, unable to stop him as he carried her upstairs and assaulted her further. Despite her protests and attempts to defend herself, Whitfield continued his assault, dismissing her pleas with a cruel joke about not being stupid enough to rape her.

Joanne’s courage grew as she confided in her first boyfriend, who was four years older. He encouraged her to tell her mother, which she eventually did. Her stepfather, Stephen Butler, reacted violently, threatening Whitfield and escalating the tension. Joanne’s mother urged her to report Whitfield to the police, which she did in May 2004. Whitfield pleaded guilty to abusing her and was sentenced to three years in prison. He remains on license until 2009 but has returned to his family life.

Despite the legal consequences, Joanne’s suffering persisted. She described how the ongoing abuse and her attempts to seek normalcy led to difficulties at school, although she managed to achieve nine GCSEs. She even wrote about her trauma in her English exam, expressing her hope that the examiners would rescue her from her pain—a wish that remained unfulfilled.

In July 2004, Joanne’s mother married Stephen Butler, asking her to be a bridesmaid. Joanne described this day as one of the worst in her life, forcing herself to smile for the sake of appearances. Her relationship with her boyfriend ended, and she later found solace in a new partner, Martin, who was 15 years her senior. Martin became a pivotal figure in her life, encouraging her to be honest about her past and supporting her decision to bring her stepfather to justice.

Joanne’s determination to seek justice intensified in November when she contacted the police. She was supported by a compassionate officer and a community that rallied behind her. Her investigation revealed that Stephen Butler had served two years in the past for similar offenses, yet he continued to pose a danger to children. Her mother’s continued support for Butler was a source of pain, but Joanne emphasized that her actions were driven by a desire to prevent other children from suffering as she did.

Her efforts culminated in Butler’s sentencing in May 2007, when he was jailed for 12 years after admitting to raping a minor. Joanne expressed a mixture of relief and lingering pain, stating, “It still doesn’t seem enough. I lost my innocence, my childhood because of him.” Her story is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of child abuse and the importance of speaking out, no matter how difficult the truth may be.