STEPHEN HUGHES FROM DARLINGTON AND REDCAR FACES MULTIPLE JAIL TERMS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In April 2017, Stephen Hughes, a 65-year-old man originally from Redcar, was subjected to a series of stringent legal restrictions following his conviction for multiple heinous sexual offenses involving minors. Hughes, who has accumulated over 25 years of imprisonment across various sentences, was ordered by a judge to seek police approval before engaging in any romantic relationship in the future. This order was in addition to the standard prohibition against any contact with girls under the age of 18.

Hughes’s criminal history includes the rape of two young girls, and he was mandated to inform his designated public protection officer about any potential relationships, as well as disclose his extensive criminal record. The court imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) on him during a hearing at Teesside Crown Court. This decision was made after Hughes refused to leave his prison cell, dismissing his legal team and declining the opportunity to have a pre-sentence report prepared.

Earlier that week, Hughes received an 11-year prison sentence, which was subsequently extended by an additional six years on license, following his conviction on six new sex crimes—two counts of rape and four counts of sexually assaulting a child—after a trial held earlier in the month. His current incarceration is part of a broader 15-year sentence for a series of sexual offenses committed against a woman and two schoolgirls dating back to the 1980s and 1990s. At the time of sentencing, Hughes was only months away from completing this lengthy term.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Howard Crowson emphasized the significant risk Hughes posed to the public, particularly highlighting the danger of substantial sexual harm. A victim, now a teenager, was present in court and requested the prosecutor, Richard Bennett, to read her heartfelt victim impact statement. She recounted her long-standing emotional struggles, revealing that she had questioned herself with the haunting question, “Why me?”

She explained that she had kept her trauma hidden from her family to avoid hurting them, and that reporting her abuse was an extremely difficult decision. She expressed her fears and nervousness over the years, especially during the trial where she had to give evidence. Despite her suffering, she conveyed a message of resilience, stating, “I wanted him to know that he had not silenced me.” She also shared that since reporting the abuse in 2014, her primary challenge has been coping at school, but she remains determined to succeed academically and in life, despite the trauma inflicted upon her.

Hughes, who resides on Queen Street in Redcar, will be registered as a sex offender for life. He is also prohibited from any contact with girls under 18 and must inform his supervising officer before entering into any romantic relationship. These measures are part of the court’s efforts to prevent further harm and ensure public safety.

In a related case, Hughes, now 55, faces a second lengthy prison term for child abuse. Known for his manipulative and controlling behavior, Hughes continues to deny the allegations, asserting his innocence and planning to challenge the convictions through the European courts. His latest trial at Teesside Crown Court resulted in a conviction on six counts of sex crimes, including rape and sexual assault against a girl who came forward in 2014. The victim, whose identity remains protected by law, recounted her ordeal of being touched and threatened by Hughes at a very young age, with him warning her, “If you tell anyone I’ll kill you.”

She described her confusion and fear at the time, and how she reported the abuse to police and counselors, though no action was taken until she formally complained years later. Hughes denied all charges, claiming innocence, but the jury found him guilty after less than two hours of deliberation, trusting the victim’s testimony.

Judge Howard Crowson indicated that Hughes’s sentence would be long and hinted at the possibility of classifying him as a dangerous offender when he is sentenced on April 28. Hughes’s criminal record includes a prior conviction from 2008 for similar sex offenses, which both the Court of Appeal and the Criminal Cases Review Commission have dismissed as wrongful. The 2008 case was described by a judge as involving “disgusting, persistent, nasty, and abhorrent” abuse against three victims, including two schoolgirls and a woman.

Hughes’s criminal activities have spanned decades, and he has repeatedly refused to accept responsibility or participate in sex offender treatment programs. His case is part of a disturbing pattern of recent convictions of sex offenders in the region, including Jason McSorley, 46, formerly of Guisborough, who is also facing a long jail term after a girl he molested and raped in 2014 came forward.

Overall, these cases underscore the ongoing challenges faced by the justice system in dealing with repeat sex offenders and protecting vulnerable minors from predatory individuals like Stephen Hughes, whose actions have caused profound and lasting harm to his victims.