STEPHEN GLEN FEATHERSTONE SENTENCED IN BILLINGHAM FOR SEX OFFENCES COMMITTED IN THE NORTH-EAST

In a case that has spanned nearly two decades, Stephen Glen Featherstone, a 34-year-old man from Billingham, has been sentenced to six months in prison after being convicted of serious sexual offences involving young girls. Featherstone, who was known locally as Glen, had previously evaded justice for a significant period following his initial crimes, which took place in the early to mid-1980s when he was a teenager.

His criminal activities came to light after a girl, now an adult in her late 20s, came forward in the late 1990s to report her abuse. She revealed that Featherstone had begun abusing her when she was approximately nine years old, and he was around 13 or 14 at the time. The assaults reportedly continued until she reached about 13 years of age. Another girl of similar age, who also attended a local swimming club along with the first victim, was subjected to similar abuse by Featherstone.

Featherstone's crimes were committed at public swimming pools in the North-East region, where he was working as a swimming coach during the period of his offending. His involvement in coaching children in swimming became a concern when the victims' disclosures prompted investigations, leading to his eventual arrest.

Following his conviction, Featherstone was initially sentenced in absentia, as he had fled the country before sentencing could take place. He escaped to Tenerife, where he remained for some time before being apprehended on the island. Spanish authorities subsequently extradited him back to the United Kingdom last month. He was transferred from a prison in Tenerife to a facility in Madrid, where he spent 14 months in custody.

Featherstone's return to the UK culminated in his appearance at Teesside Crown Court, where he faced his original trial judge, Judge David Bryant. During the hearing, Featherstone admitted to breaching his bail conditions, which had been set prior to his extradition. His legal representatives argued that he had spent 14 months in custody abroad and emphasized that most of the offences occurred when he was a juvenile, asserting that he had not committed any crimes since then.

Prosecutor Deborah Sherwin outlined the details of the abuse, stating that Featherstone began assaulting one girl when she was about nine years old, with him being approximately 13 or 14 at the time. The abuse persisted until she was around 13. A second victim, also of a similar age, was subjected to similar treatment. All three victims had attended a local swimming club where Featherstone was coaching at the time of the offences.

In response to the case, the court considered the impact on the victims, who are now in their late 20s. They expressed their disappointment with the sentence, feeling that it trivialized the severity of the offences and failed to compensate for the years of pain they endured. A prosecution application to impose a restraining order that would prevent Featherstone from coaching or visiting swimming pools and leisure facilities was denied.

Tim Roberts, representing Featherstone, highlighted that his client had served 14 months in custody and pointed out that most of the offences occurred when Featherstone was a juvenile. He emphasized that Featherstone had not committed any offences since then.

Judge Bryant acknowledged the limitations of his sentencing powers, citing the significant time elapsed since the offences and Featherstone's age at the time. Ultimately, he sentenced Featherstone to six months in prison, taking into account the time already served in Spain. Additionally, Featherstone was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of seven years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Overall, the case has left a lasting impact on the victims, who continue to seek acknowledgment and justice for the trauma inflicted upon them during their childhood in Billingham and the surrounding areas.