STEPHEN FISH SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD RAPE IN CHESTER-LE-STREET

A man named Stephen Fish, aged 28, from Grange Villa near Chester-Le-Street in County Durham, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of heinous crimes involving a young child. The court heard that Fish, despite having previously been warned about engaging in sexual activity with an underage girl, continued to groom, abuse, and ultimately rape another child, actions that have left a lasting scar on the victim.

Durham Crown Court described the case as particularly disturbing, with the presiding judge, Nathan Adams, condemning the abuse as 'horrific.' The severity of the case was compounded by Fish's own comments during the abuse, in which he claimed to be 'scarring them for life,' indicating a disturbing awareness of the harm he was inflicting. These remarks, coupled with the nature of the offenses, painted a picture of a man fully conscious of the damage he was causing to his young victim.

Although Fish denied the allegations, the court found him guilty of seven sex offenses committed against a child under the age of 13, including the crime of rape. The victim, who bravely provided a statement read aloud in court, expressed the profound and lasting impact of the abuse. They stated that they might be 'scarred for life,' but also declared their resilience, asserting that they would 'never be broken' by Fish. The victim described experiencing daily flashbacks, reliving the 'nightmare' of the ordeal, and emphasized that their life has been 'irreparably changed.' Despite the trauma, the victim found some solace in the fact that Fish had been convicted and sentenced, believing that he would no longer pose a threat to other innocent children.

Judge Nathan Adams highlighted the disturbing nature of Fish's comments and the lifelong consequences of his actions. He pointed out that Fish was fully aware of the impact his abuse had on the victim, which made his conduct even more reprehensible. It was also revealed that Fish had a prior warning for having sex with an underage girl when he was just 17 years old, indicating a pattern of concerning behavior.

As a result of his conviction, Fish has been classified as an 'offender of particular concern.' He will serve an additional year on extended licence after his release from prison and is mandated to sign the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.