STEPHEN KEEN FROM STACKSTEADS SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN ROSSENDALE

In March 2018, a disturbing case of child sexual abuse emerged involving Stephen Keen, a man from Stacksteads, who was convicted of heinous crimes against his own daughter and a second young girl. Keen, who was employed as a joiner at Rossendale Hospital and also served as the chairman of a local swimming club in Rawtenstall, was sentenced to a decade behind bars after admitting to multiple counts of sexual assault.

Judge Beverley Lunt described Keen, aged 60, as a manipulative and dangerous offender. She imposed an extended sentence of five years on licence, emphasizing the severity of his actions and the threat he posed to the community. Keen’s criminal conduct was particularly shocking given his otherwise active involvement in community service and his role as a volunteer and chairman at the Rawtenstall Swimming Club for over a decade.

During the court proceedings, Donna White, Keen’s daughter, chose to waive her right to anonymity to speak out publicly about her family’s ordeal. She expressed her desire to handle the matter privately within her family, stating, “I just want to put it out there that this is in the family. I was the one that brought the charge. We would just like to deal with it as a family. He has always been a good dad. Me and my brother had a good childhood. We have had a good upbringing. We haven’t got horrible memories of childhood. We had nice holidays. We had nice Christmases.”

White explained that her motivation for reporting her father was rooted in concern for his well-being, particularly regarding his struggles with alcoholism. She emphasized that her father’s involvement with the swimming club was driven by his love for the sport, not any inappropriate intentions. “My dad was a volunteer and chairman at Rawtenstall Swimming Club for 12 years and worked really hard. He did it because he loved swimming. I don’t want people to think he did it because it was working with children. That is not what it was. He gave his all to that job. He went on courses, he bettered himself. That is separate to the family and what happened.”

The court heard that the abuse began when White was just 13 years old and continued until she was 18, coinciding with her relationship with her boyfriend. However, the abuse resumed last year when Keen visited her at her home, where he sexually assaulted her in her bedroom. It is estimated that Keen committed up to 40 separate attacks on his daughter over the years.

Prosecutor Joe Boyd detailed the disturbing nature of the abuse, revealing that Keen would assault White while she was changing out of her school uniform at his workshop located within Rossendale Hospital. The abuse also took place at their family home. On one particularly troubling occasion, Keen told White, “don’t worry, you can’t get pregnant,” which she interpreted as him having undergone a vasectomy. When she attempted to resist, Keen reportedly reassured her with, “It’s OK. It’s OK.”

Keen pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including indecent assault, indecency with a child, and sexual assault concerning his daughter. The case took a further disturbing turn when, just a day before his sentencing, a second victim came forward, alleging that Keen had also sexually abused her. This second complainant, whose identity remains protected by law, contacted police to report her abuse.

Initially, Keen denied any wrongdoing. However, in the week leading up to the trial, he changed his plea to guilty on charges of sexual activity with a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

In her victim personal statement, the second victim expressed ongoing trauma, stating, “As a result of what happened I am very conscious when I’m outside alone about males looking up or following behind me.”

Judge Lunt condemned Keen’s actions, stating, “You preyed on these two children. You created and manipulated situations with each of them which you would exploit in order to sexually abuse them. You claim you are not sexually attracted to children but I reject that.” Her words underscored the gravity of Keen’s betrayal of trust and the devastating impact of his crimes on his victims.