SKELMERSDALE PAEDOPHILE STEPHEN POWELL SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES NEAR BEACON COUNTRY PARK

In April 2023, a disturbing case involving Stephen Powell, a 41-year-old man from Skelmersdale, culminated in his sentencing after a series of heinous sexual offenses against minors. The court proceedings revealed a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned over several years, including an assault on a teenage girl and online predation involving decoys posing as underage girls.

According to the prosecution, Ms Hack, during the hearing at Preston Crown Court, detailed an incident from October 2019 where Powell drove a teenage girl to a secluded area he referred to as 'Shaggers Lane' within Beacon Country Park, near Skelmersdale. The girl, who had recently celebrated her 16th birthday, approached Powell to discuss a disagreement with a family member. However, the conversation quickly took a disturbing turn when Powell made inappropriate comments about her friend's breasts, which the girl described as 'inappropriate.'

Powell then proceeded to question her about her sexual relationship with her boyfriend and even discussed his own past relationship, attempting to gauge her knowledge and experience. He asked if he could touch her sexually, but she firmly refused. Despite her refusal, Powell persisted and, ignoring her boundaries, touched her over her clothing. During the police interview, the girl recounted feeling terrified and frozen in place, describing her emotions as 'frightened, disgusted and shocked.' She revealed that they remained in the parked car for approximately 45 minutes before Powell drove her home. Afterward, Powell sent her a message to check if she had arrived safely.

Following this incident, the girl confided in a family member, which led to Powell's arrest. During police questioning, Powell denied any sexual contact, claiming he only brushed against her and that his intent was to ensure her boyfriend was not taking advantage of her. When asked if such behavior was appropriate, Powell admitted, 'No, she's 16.'

Further investigations uncovered disturbing online activity. In a police operation targeting online predators, officers identified Powell as a man communicating with a decoy named Lucy, who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. Using the screen name 'NorthWestSingle,' Powell sent a sexually explicit video of himself and engaged in explicit sex chat via the Kik messenger application. The decoy claimed to be 13 and discussed her school life, further highlighting Powell's predatory behavior.

In September 2022, while on bail for the initial offenses, Powell was caught again, this time communicating with another decoy named 'Izzy,' a 12-year-old girl. Powell expressed a desire to meet up for sexual activity, demonstrating a continued pattern of offending. During his police interview, Powell denied any sexual interest in children, claiming his actions were fueled by cocaine. He pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault of the 16-year-old girl during his trial at Preston Crown Court.

The victim's statement revealed the profound impact of Powell's actions. She described feeling anxious and withdrawn, dropping out of her college course and ending her relationship with her boyfriend. She also moved away from the area, fearing encounters with Powell while he was on bail.

Judge Richard Gioserano sentenced Powell to a total of 10 months for attempted sexual communication with a child, six months for the second offense, and an additional two years concurrently for each of the sexual assaults. The judge condemned Powell for exploiting the trust of the young girl, noting that his actions were manipulative and predatory. He emphasized that Powell's online behavior and continued interest in young girls demonstrated an inability to control his sexual urges, even while awaiting trial.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Gioserano highlighted the emotional trauma inflicted on the victim, stating that Powell's actions left her frightened and shocked, with lasting effects on her mental health and life choices. The court's decision reflects the seriousness of his offenses and the need to protect vulnerable minors from such predatory behavior.