STEPHEN LANCE FROM REDCAR SENTENCED FOR 12 YEARS OVER DECADES OF CHILD ABUSE IN TEESSIDE

In a case that has shocked the local community, Stephen Lance, a man previously residing in Redcar, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of heinous child abuse crimes spanning over thirty years. The offences, which involved the sexual assault of three young girls, were detailed during a court hearing at Teesside Crown Court, revealing the extent of Lance’s disturbing actions and the profound impact on his victims.

Judge Peter Armstrong described Lance’s crimes as "quite appalling" and emphasized the danger he poses to society. Recognizing the severity and prolonged nature of the offences, the judge ruled that Lance was a dangerous offender warranting an extended sentence. The sexual assaults began when Lance was a teenager and continued into his thirties, illustrating a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior over multiple decades.

Prosecutor Sarah Mallett outlined how Lance had attacked three innocent underage girls, whose identities are protected by law. One of the victims attempted to report Lance’s inappropriate touching at the time, but her allegations were dismissed and not believed. She described Lance as a manipulative individual who falsely portrayed her as a liar, successfully convincing others that her claims were untrue. Another victim recounted her fear of Lance, noting how he exerted control over her and became increasingly aggressive in his advances, instilling lasting trauma.

The crimes only came to light last year, triggered by Lance’s inappropriate behavior towards yet another girl. At the time of his arrest, Lance, aged 42 and formerly of Redcar, told police he was surprised by the allegations and claimed ignorance about what was happening. He denied all accusations, asserting, “All of them are telling lies about me.”

As the case progressed towards trial, Lance, who was then living at Nelson House, South Bank, pleaded guilty to 18 charges—comprising 15 counts of indecent assault and three counts of sexual assault. During a police interview, Lance admitted to a probation officer that he was attracted to young girls, acknowledging his problematic tendencies.

Judge Peter Armstrong noted that Lance’s guilty pleas came late but appreciated the remorse shown and his acknowledgment that the victims had been truthful all along. The judge highlighted that this plea avoided the victims from having to relive their traumatic experiences in court and from facing cross-examination that could have further harmed them. Consequently, Lance received a significant reduction in his sentence for his late plea.

Addressing one of the victims directly, the judge stated, “You effectively stole her childhood,” underscoring the devastating impact of Lance’s actions. The court sentenced him to 12 years in prison, accompanied by an extended license period of ten years, ensuring ongoing supervision after his release.

Defense lawyer Jonathan Walker expressed that Lance wished to offer a sincere apology to the victims, emphasizing that his remorse was genuine and not merely a legal strategy. Walker also highlighted Lance’s honesty and candor during interviews with probation officers, despite his troubled past.

In addition to his prison sentence, Lance was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under 16. He will also be registered as a sex offender for life, ensuring continued monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.