STEPHEN MULLINS FROM HELLESDON SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN NORWICH

In a significant case that has shocked the local community of Hellesdon and the wider Norwich area, Stephen Mullins, aged 52, has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison following his conviction on multiple serious sex offences involving three young girls. The sentencing took place at Norwich Crown Court, where Mullins faced the consequences of his admitted crimes, which include rape and indecent assault.

Stephen Mullins, who previously resided on Links Avenue in Hellesdon, was a well-known figure in the local community, having served as a member of the Norwich North Conservative Association for approximately two years and also holding the position of a parish councillor in Hellesdon for a similar period. His role within the community was further highlighted by his long-term employment as the head chef at the Bull pub located on Reepham Road in Hellesdon, a position he held for 17 years until April of this year.

The court proceedings revealed that Mullins had earlier admitted to two counts of indecent assault against a girl under the age of 14, with the offences spanning from August 22, 1999, to August 21, 2002. He also pleaded guilty to the charge of rape involving the same girl during this period. Additionally, Mullins admitted to sexual assault by penetration on April 3, 2008, on another girl aged 14, and a further assault by penetration on April 14, 2008, on yet another young girl. These admissions paint a disturbing picture of the pattern of abuse that Mullins engaged in over several years.

Prosecutor Jonathan Seeley clarified that the initial counts were considered sample counts, with the remaining charges representing specific allegations. Mullins’s actions have not only led to his imprisonment but also prompted immediate repercussions within his community and professional circles. The chairman of the Norwich North Conservative Association, Shelagh Gurney, issued a statement indicating that, given Mullins’s guilty pleas and the gravity of his offences, the party is taking steps to remove him from its membership.

Local figures and community members have expressed their disapproval and concern. Patrick Cutter, the landlord of the Bull pub where Mullins worked, stated, “Obviously I don’t condone what he has done, and as a business, we want to draw a line under it. He won’t be working for me anymore.” Broadland district councillor and Hellesdon parish councillor Tony Adams also commented on the situation, noting that Mullins would be automatically disqualified from continuing his role as a parish councillor due to his incarceration. Adams added, “I would like to extend my sympathies to his partner and to the girls he abused. My understanding is that he will be automatically debarred from serving as a parish councillor, because he will have already served more than three months in jail, whatever the sentence.”

It is believed that Mullins was living with a partner at the time, although he is not known to have any children. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Hellesdon and the surrounding Norwich area, highlighting the importance of safeguarding and the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable individuals from harm.