STEPHEN FAWCETT FROM WAWNE TARGETS EAST HULL MUM AND HER CHILD IN DISTURBING SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Stephen Fawcett, a 34-year-old former soldier from Wawne, has been convicted of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in East Hull. The incident occurred after Fawcett had established a seemingly innocent relationship with the child's mother through online dating platforms, including Flirtomatic, where he targeted multiple women with the apparent intent of gaining access to their children.

Fawcett's pattern of predatory behavior appears to have been ongoing, as detectives uncovered numerous text messages and contact records indicating he had engaged with dozens of women across the country. His interactions often involved building trust with single mothers, many of whom lacked a paternal figure in their children's lives. The investigation revealed that Fawcett had contacted the East Hull mother in February 2013, maintaining communication through texts and phone calls over a period of two months.

Within this timeframe, Fawcett managed to ingratiate himself with the family, eventually meeting the mother on several occasions. Over a short span of two weeks, he became familiar with her household and her daughter, whom he expressed a desire to adopt and serve as a father figure. His manipulative approach culminated on April 11, when he was at the family home. That evening, after the girl had fallen asleep on the sofa, Fawcett offered to carry her to bed. Once alone with her in her bedroom, he sexually assaulted her. The young girl, brave and quick to respond, immediately informed her mother about the assault.

The mother, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, confronted Fawcett, who responded dismissively, saying, “I’m not standing here being accused of this,” before leaving the house and disappearing from their lives. The mother promptly contacted the police, leading to Fawcett’s arrest and subsequent trial. Throughout the proceedings, Fawcett denied the allegations, maintaining his innocence despite overwhelming evidence against him.

Judge Mark Bury sentenced Fawcett to five years in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender for life. The court's decision was based on the gravity of the offense and the need to protect the public from further harm. Detective Constable Brian Christie, who led the investigation, emphasized the extent of Fawcett’s manipulative tactics, revealing that he had been in contact with other women and potentially other families across the country. He stated, “He has been striking up relationships with adult females through dating sites. He befriended the mother of an 11-year-old girl and continued contacting her by phone and text messages. We believe he could have been in similar positions with other family units and may have committed similar offenses that may not have been reported to the police.”

Detective Christie urged anyone who might have been targeted by Fawcett or who has concerns about his activities to come forward. He highlighted that Fawcett’s employment as a lorry driver allowed him to travel extensively, increasing the risk of him accessing vulnerable individuals nationwide. The investigation continues as authorities seek to determine whether Fawcett’s actions have caused harm to other victims. Fawcett was discharged from the Army in 2007 and has a criminal record that includes two previous assault convictions. His release from prison in September 2015 marked a new chapter, but his actions have left a lasting impact on the community and the young girl he betrayed.