STEPHEN WINTER OF WADDINGTON SENTENCED FOR ABUSING FOUR GIRLS IN LINCOLN AND NOTTINGHAM

In a long-overdue culmination of justice, Stephen Winter, a man from Miller Way in Waddington, Lincoln, has been convicted and sentenced for heinous crimes committed against four young girls. The offenses, which spanned several years, involved grooming and sexual abuse, and the case finally reached its resolution in Nottingham Crown Court after a 25-year delay.

Winter, aged 45 at the time of sentencing, was found guilty of multiple counts of indecent assault. The court heard that he had manipulated the trust and affection of his victims, who were all children at the time of the abuse. One of the victims recounted how Winter had told her it was their 'special secret,' a phrase that underscored the manipulative tactics he employed to maintain control over his young victims.

The judge, Jeremy Lea, addressed Winter directly during the sentencing, stating, "You moved away, and must have thought you had got away with it. But what you did left its mark, it often does." The court detailed how the four victims, now adults, had grown up near Newark, where they used to play together, unaware of the dark intentions of their abuser. The judge emphasized that Winter had groomed them over time, gaining their affection and trust before abusing that trust on multiple occasions.

One of the victims, who was only five years old at the time of the abuse, struggled with the trauma for years. She was unable to forget what had happened and suffered from depression and anxiety as a result. It was not until 2016 that she found the emotional strength and courage to come forward and disclose the abuse to authorities. The judge highlighted this delay, noting that the truth eventually surfaced, and Winter's past actions finally caught up with him.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Lea pointed out that the severity of Winter's crimes warranted a substantial punishment. Winter received an eight-year sentence for three of the charges—seven years to be served in custody and one year on license. He also received lesser sentences for three additional counts of indecent assault. The court made it clear that after serving three and a half years, Winter would be eligible for parole, but he would remain on license until the full term expired, subject to supervision and restrictions.

Furthermore, the judge imposed a ten-year restraining order on two of the victims, ensuring that Winter would be legally barred from making contact with them to provide them with some measure of safety and peace of mind. On his release, Winter will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be registered on the sex offenders' register, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes.

During the trial, Alan Murphy, the prosecutor, read a poignant statement from one of the victims, who admitted that she still finds it difficult to speak openly about the abuse. She expressed her frustration at not receiving an apology or explanation from Winter, emphasizing the lasting impact of his actions. Another victim's statement revealed her years of silent suffering, underscoring the profound and enduring trauma inflicted upon her as a young child. The court's verdict and sentence serve as a stark reminder of the importance of justice for victims of sexual abuse, regardless of how much time has passed.