STEPHEN BYRNE

DUNSTABLE MAN SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS AFTER THE RAPE OF A YOUNG CHILD

A Dunstable man has been sentenced to extensive prison time after being found guilty of raping a young girl.

The victim, now an adult, reported the abuse, leading to Stephen Byrne's arrest.

The defendant, aged 63 and residing on Luton Road, Dunstable, was convicted of five counts of raping a girl under 13 after a trial at Luton Crown Court that lasted six days.

Today (Friday), Byrne was sentenced to 18 years in prison and an extra year on licence.

He was also issued an indefinite restraining order, a sexual harm prevention order, and a requirement to remain on the sex offenders register permanently.

In a statement shared publicly, the victim said: “The abuse happened when I was very young, and I lacked the understanding of what was happening.

He was someone I trusted, but he took advantage of my youth and innocence.

I was raped and sexually assaulted during a vulnerable time.

This has caused me lasting emotional and physical pain that no child should endure.

My childhood was stolen.

Though I am saddened that these memories have affected me for so long, I now feel prepared to start the process of recovery.”