STEVE MATTISON SENTENCED IN GREAT SANKEY FOR ABUSE OF VICTIMS

In April 2004, a deeply disturbing case unfolded involving the sentencing of Steve Mattison, a man from Great Sankey, who was convicted of heinous acts of sexual abuse. The victim, Lisa Cresswell, who is the step-daughter of Mattison, publicly shared her harrowing experience, revealing that she endured seven years of abuse starting from the age of nine. Her courage to speak out came after years of silence and suffering, and she expressed that she would never fully recover from the trauma inflicted upon her.

Lisa, who resides in Great Sankey, chose to waive her right to anonymity in order to shed light on the case and to label Mattison as a “menace to society.” The court proceedings revealed that Mattison, aged 51 and living on Shiggins Close, was sentenced to four years in prison at Knutsford Crown Court. The sentence followed his conviction on 16 counts of sexual assault, which involved not only Lisa but also another female victim. As part of his punishment, Mattison was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register, marking the severity of his crimes.

During the trial, it was disclosed that Lisa had initially sought help from her mother, Pauline, at the age of 12. Unfortunately, her pleas for assistance were ignored, and she was subsequently regarded as the “black sheep” within her family. It was only last year that police approached Lisa and another victim to testify against Mattison, bringing her painful past back into the spotlight. Lisa explained her motivation for coming forward, stating, “I have always wanted to come forward but I felt like I would be on my own.” She further added that the prospect of other children suffering as she had did give her the strength to endure the ordeal of giving evidence in court.

Despite the conviction, Lisa continues to battle the psychological aftermath of her abuse. She suffers from flashbacks, nightmares, eating disorders, and severe depression, for which she is prescribed medication. She candidly shared her struggles, saying, “I have tried to take my own life but then I take my tablets and think, ‘you stupid cow, he’s not worth it.’” Her anger towards the relatively lenient sentence was palpable, as she expressed her frustration, “I am really annoyed. I have done 28 years. It’s always going to be with me.”

Judge Merfyn Hughes described Mattison’s actions as “merciless,” emphasizing the devastating impact on the victims’ lives. The judge also criticized Pauline Mattison for failing to protect her daughter, highlighting the tragic failure of parental responsibility in this case. During the sentencing, Mattison displayed provocative behavior by blowing a kiss towards the gallery and making a threatening ‘gun’ gesture, which led to him being found in contempt of court. As a result, an additional three months were added to his sentence.

Lisa hopes her story will serve as a catalyst for other victims to come forward and seek justice. She urged others not to suffer in silence, stating, “You don’t have to suffer in silence.” Her bravery in sharing her painful experience underscores the importance of confronting abuse and supporting survivors in their journey towards healing.