LEAMINGTON MAN STEVEN BROWN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In August 2015, a disturbing case emerged from Leamington involving a 50-year-old man, Steven Brown, who was convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a teenage girl who was only 15 years old at the time. The incident revealed a pattern of predatory behavior, with Brown exploiting the vulnerability of the young girl over a series of encounters during the summer of the previous year.

Brown, who resides on Upper Holly Walk in Leamington, pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to five separate charges of sexual activity with a minor. The court heard that Brown’s actions had a profound and lasting impact on the victim, whose detailed statement described the emotional and psychological toll the offenses had taken on her. The judge described her account as ‘harrowing,’ emphasizing the severity of the trauma inflicted.

Prosecutor Andrew Baker outlined that the girl was described as ‘a relatively troubled young lady,’ who had been befriended by Brown. Over the course of the summer, sexual encounters occurred on four different occasions. The girl stated that all these incidents took place at Brown’s flat, although Brown claimed that the first encounter was in his car. It was also revealed that on at least one occasion, Brown had provided her with alcohol, further complicating the nature of their interactions.

The first recorded incident involved Brown taking the girl to his flat, where he initiated physical contact by kissing her on the sofa. They then moved into the bedroom, where they engaged in sexual activity. About a week later, after exchanging text messages, Brown arranged to meet her ‘at the top of the road’ after her family had gone to bed. He then took her back to his flat, where he again invited her into the bedroom and offered her alcohol. Following their sexual encounter, Brown fell asleep, but was annoyed when the girl woke him to inform him that her father had texted asking where she was and that she needed to be taken home.

Two more meetings occurred subsequently, with at least one involving intercourse. During the proceedings, it was revealed that Brown had previously been convicted of battery but had no prior convictions related to sexual offenses. The court also heard that Brown had children of his own, whom he had not seen since his arrest, acknowledging that he bore responsibility for his actions.

Defense lawyer Nick Devine stated that Brown’s own children were affected by the situation, and he expressed remorse for his conduct. However, the judge, Andrew Lockhart QC, emphasized the devastating impact on the victim. The judge pointed out that the victim’s statement described her ongoing suffering and the profound disruption to her life. He condemned Brown’s actions, noting that he had exploited her vulnerability with an ulterior sexual motive, grooming her over time, and engaging in what he described as ‘consensual activity’ between a 15-year-old girl and a 50-year-old man.

Judge Lockhart concluded that the gravity of the offenses warranted a lengthy custodial sentence. Brown was sentenced to six and a half years in prison and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the seriousness with which the court viewed his crimes and their lasting impact on the young victim from Leamington.