STEPHEN MITCHELL'S DECADE OF CHILD ABUSE IN BYRAM AND NORMANTON ENDS WITH 10-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE

In a case that has shocked the communities of Byram, Normanton, and surrounding areas, Stephen Mitchell, aged 50, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars after admitting to a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young boys over a period of ten years.

Mitchell, a resident of Byram Park Road in Byram near Knottingley, was found guilty of nine counts of indecent assault and five counts of indecency, all committed against children aged between six and 16 years old. The offences spanned from 1994 to 2004, with Mitchell exploiting multiple addresses across Selby and Normanton to carry out his crimes.

Prosecutor Simon Kealey outlined the disturbing details of the case during the hearing at York Crown Court. He revealed that Mitchell had lured his young victims into his homes by offering them cigarettes, alcohol, and cannabis, creating an environment of manipulation and exploitation. The earliest of these offences involved a six-year-old boy and took place while Mitchell was residing in Bridge Court, Selby.

As the years progressed, Mitchell moved to different locations, including Smirthwaite View in Normanton, where further offences occurred. He later returned to Selby, living first on Buller Street and subsequently in a flat situated above The Abbey Pet Shop in the town centre. Throughout this period, his predatory behaviour persisted, targeting boys of various ages.

The court heard that Mitchell’s youngest victim was subjected to sexual assault over nearly the entire ten-year span of his offending. His obsession with certain victims was particularly disturbing. While living in Normanton, Mitchell became so infatuated with a 14-year-old boy that he would follow and pester him whenever he stopped visiting. His fixation extended to other young boys, including a 13-year-old, whom he admitted to the ambulance service he was obsessed with.

The police became involved in 2003 after Mitchell’s own confession to the ambulance service, but it was not until the following year that he was formally arrested and charged with the offences. The lengthy investigation revealed a pattern of grooming, manipulation, and sexual abuse that spanned a decade.

Judge James Spencer QC delivered a stern sentence, describing Mitchell’s actions as a “disgusting series of offences.” He ordered Mitchell to be placed on the sex offenders register for life and mandated his participation in the sexual offences prevention programme indefinitely. Additionally, Mitchell is permanently barred from working with children, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the risk he poses to society.