BRIGHTON AND SOUTHWICK COUPLE STEPHEN STOCK AND PAULA PAYNE COMMIT HORRIFIC SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Brighton and Southwick, a young girl of just 13 years old was subjected to a brutal and calculated sexual assault by a man named Stephen Stock and his teenage girlfriend, Paula Payne. The incident, which took place on March 12 of the previous year, involved a premeditated plan to violate a virgin girl, a scheme that the couple had meticulously plotted beforehand.

Police investigations revealed that Paula Payne, then only 16 years old, had documented their sinister intentions in an exercise book titled 'The Plan.' This notebook contained chilling details of their desire to carry out the assault, and it was discovered by detectives during their inquiry. The case, which was heard at Lewes Crown Court, was described by police as one that would have shocked even the most hardened officers due to its depravity and the cold-blooded nature of the planning involved.

According to court reports, Stock, who resided on Ashton Rise in Brighton, and Payne, from Seaview Estate in Southwick, befriended the young girl and lured her into their home in Seafield Road, Hove. The evening began innocuously, with the trio engaging in activities such as baking cakes and watching DVDs. However, the atmosphere quickly turned sinister when the girl attempted to leave the house. Stock and Payne refused to let her go, and the situation escalated rapidly.

Prosecutor Gill Etherton described how Stock's anger and aggression surfaced, culminating in him grabbing the girl around the neck. To silence her screams, a pillow was placed over her face, an act that left her terrified and helpless. Stock reportedly told her not to worry, claiming he had done this before, and that their plan had been in the works for a long time, finally coming to fruition that night. Throughout the ordeal, Stock repeatedly threatened to kill her, heightening her fear and sense of danger.

Paula Payne played an active role in the assault, assisting Stock and instructing him on what to do, all while watching the horrific acts unfold. The court was shown evidence of 'The Plan,' which explicitly outlined the rape of a young girl, including disturbing details that underscored the premeditated nature of the crime.

Following the sexual assault, the victim was instructed to shower but was kept confined in the house until the following morning. She was threatened again with death if she disclosed what had happened, with warnings that her sister would also be harmed. The next day, Payne visited the girl at her home and forged a note to excuse her from school, claiming she needed to see her GP to obtain a morning-after contraceptive pill.

Eventually, the girl confided in a friend, showing her injuries on her neck and wrists. This led to a teacher being informed and a police investigation being launched. The girl continues to suffer from the trauma of the assault, experiencing fear, anxiety, and frequent tears, which have significantly impacted her daily life.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Stock and Payne had been in a relationship since she was 13 and he was 21. They had a child together when she was 14, who was subsequently taken into care and adopted. Stock, who has no previous convictions but has received cautions related to incidents involving Payne—including charges of under-age sex, resisting arrest, and assault on a social worker—was sentenced to nine years in prison after admitting to the rape. Payne, now 17, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the rape and was sentenced to three years in a young offenders institution.

Judge Charles Kemp condemned the crime as 'the most appalling and disgusting incident,' emphasizing the terror experienced by the young girl. He also addressed Payne's vulnerability, noting her infatuation with Stock and the damage the relationship had inflicted on her life. The judge stated that Payne had played a full and compliant role in the assault, aiding Stock instead of helping the victim, and suggested she was in need of help and guidance.

Legal representatives for the offenders argued that Stock was immature for his age, while Payne was described as a vulnerable victim herself, groomed by her older boyfriend. Detective Chris Leech, who led the investigation, highlighted the severity of the crime, especially considering the victim's age and trust in her attacker, which made the assault even more heinous.

As part of their sentences, Stock will be required to register as a sex offender for life, and Payne for ten years, reflecting the gravity of their actions and the lasting impact on the young victim.