MAN JAILED FOR RAPE & SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST GIRL
A man found guilty of multiple sexual assaults and rapes involving a young girl has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.Stephen Palmer carried out a series of sexual offences against the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, while she was aged between 11 and 13.
During the trial, Norwich Crown Court heard that the 39-year-old attempted to silence her by warning her not to disclose what had occurred.
The abuse, which happened from September 2022 to December 2024, only came to light after the girl confided in teachers and police, appearing visibly upset when she arrived at school.
Palmer, residing on School Road in Heacham near King's Lynn, was brought before the court for sentencing on Thursday following a guilty verdict on two counts of raping a girl under 13 and four charges of non-penetrative sexual activity, after a trial held earlier this summer.
Judge Katharine Moore described Palmer as a "dangerous" offender with a clear attraction to prepubescent girls.
She also commended the girl’s bravery in coming forward despite threats from Palmer.
The court imposed an extended sentence of 20 years, including 16 years in prison and four on license, citing the significant risk of future harm due to Palmer’s apparent lack of internal controls.
The judge highlighted his potential to offend again.
Palmer’s legal representative, Stephen Mather, stated that his client has no prior convictions and maintains his innocence, although he accepted the jury’s verdict.
Mather also noted that Palmer had experienced personal tragedies, including the recent deaths of a child and his father in August.
During the period of offending, Palmer was described as feeling lost and living a purposeless life.
Additionally, Palmer was subject to a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly, or from approaching within 100 metres of her residence, workplace, or school.
He was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 20 years.
