STEPHEN HUTTON FROM LIMAVADY JAILED FOR INDECENT ASSAULT ON TEENAGE GIRL IN NORTHERN IRELAND

In a case that has shocked the community of Limavady, Stephen Paul Hutton, a 34-year-old resident of Roemill Gardens, was sentenced to serve two years in prison after being found guilty of indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The incident, which took place over a span of several days in May 2009, also resulted in Hutton being placed under strict probation for three years.

Hutton pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent assault concerning the young girl, with the offences occurring between May 16 and May 19 of that year. The court was informed that the girl’s parents became concerned after discovering her in Hutton’s company and noticing her drinking alcohol. They promptly contacted the police to report their worries.

According to the prosecution, the girl had initiated contact with Hutton by calling him and arranging to meet. The two then spent several hours wandering around Limavady, during which they shared a three-litre bottle of cider. As the alcohol took effect, the girl became intoxicated. During this period, Hutton pulled her towards him and kissed her, leaving her with what she described as a ‘love bite’.

The situation escalated when Hutton, at one point, took down her trousers while she was standing against a wall and engaged in sexual touching. The court heard that the teenage girl was extremely distressed by these events and found it difficult to discuss the matter openly, indicating the emotional impact the assault had on her.

During the hearing, a defence lawyer argued that Hutton was not a predatory individual and emphasized that there was no evidence of grooming or any ongoing pursuit of the girl’s contact. The lawyer described the incident as a one-off occurrence fueled by alcohol and expressed Hutton’s remorse, stating that he would be very eager to avoid such situations in the future. The defence also suggested that if the girl had not made the phone call that initiated their meeting, these events might never have happened.

Judge Piers Grant, presiding over the case, sentenced Hutton to two years in prison and ordered him to serve an additional three years on probation. The judge acknowledged the emotional toll on the young girl, noting that she would likely be affected by the incident for a considerable time. He highlighted that although the assaults were neither premeditated nor persistent, they originated from a phone call initiated by the victim. The judge emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation, stating, “The law not only protects the wise, but the unwise and naive from those who will take advantage of their vulnerability.”

Furthermore, Hutton was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subjected to a sexual offenders prevention order. This included restrictions on working with children and any contact with individuals under 18 without prior approval from social services, along with several other conditions aimed at preventing future offenses. The case serves as a stark reminder of the legal protections in place for minors and the serious consequences faced by those who breach them in Northern Ireland.