STEPHEN REED, SHREWSBURY OFFENDER, SENT BACK TO JAIL FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND INDECENT IMAGES

In March 2019, Stephen Reed, a convicted paedophile from Shrewsbury, was reimprisoned after authorities discovered nearly 180 indecent images on his mobile phone. Reed, 48, was detained at his town centre residence following police interception of messages exchanged between him and another known sex offender on January 31. Prosecutor Mr. Paul Whitfield explained that Reed had been released from prison in April 2017 after serving time for prior sex-related offenses.

He stated, “The police intercepted communications between the defendant and another man from North Yorkshire, a registered sex offender known to law enforcement. He was involved in explicit discussions about girls as young as eight, and images were downloaded from Yorkshire to Reed’s phone, which he received.” The court was also told that, as a young man, Reed lived in London and had previous convictions for petty crimes and theft.

Reed’s phone was found to contain and reflect his actions of viewing and deleting the illicit images, prompting police to seize the device and charge him with making indecent images. During the hearing, Reed admitted to possessing 63 images classified as Category A (the most serious), 26 in Category B, and 90 in Category C.

Further court history revealed Reed, of Rope Walk Court, was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order following his 2010 conviction in Exeter for multiple offenses, including the rape of a girl under 16, indecent assault, and gross indecency involving a girl from Barnstaple. In total, he was sentenced to twelve and a half years.

Defence solicitor Mr. Stephen Scully remarked that Reed was likely to be recalled to prison by the parole board because he was still on licence when he committed the recent offenses.

Judge Peter Barrie sentenced Reed to an additional 12 months imprisonment for the latest offenses. His current jail term will run concurrently with his existing sentence, which is due to expire in 2022. The judge also declared the Sexual Harm Prevention Order as indefinite and ordered the confiscation and destruction of all the images.

Earlier, in April 2010, Reed had received a 12½-year sentence after being found guilty of multiple sexual offenses involving a young girl. Judge Stephen Wildblood QC told him, “I accept custody will be a heavy burden on you — and so it should be,” emphasizing his belief that Reed had brought the punishment upon himself.

Reed, then 38 and residing in Telford, was convicted of nine charges including rape, five counts of indecency with a child, indecent assault, and two counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity. He denied all charges, which involved a girl under 16. The offenses occurred during various encounters in North Devon while Reed was living there.

Joss Ticehurst, representing the prosecution, highlighted Reed’s prior criminal record, which included fraud, theft, perverting the course of justice, and cautions for violence. Witnesses described Reed’s initial pleasantness towards the girl, which later devolved into sexual misconduct. The girl later confided in others, leading to police involvement.

Reed described himself as “shocked” by the allegations during his testimony, stating, “No idea, really don’t. I’ve spent the last 14 months thinking why.” His defense argued that, despite having no previous sexual convictions, Reed was apprehensive about the long prison sentence he faced.

As Reed listened to the verdict in court, he remained composed. Judge Wildblood criticized Reed’s lack of remorse, stating, “You have shown no remorse. You have paid no attention at all to the emotional and psychological impact of your actions.” The judge imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and mandated that Reed register as a sex offender indefinitely.

He concluded by expressing gratitude to the jury: “I am extremely grateful for the service you have provided. You have demonstrated the highest standards of jury service.”