SOUTHEND PAEDOPHILE STEVEN FIELD SENTENCE AT BASILDON COURT
A south Essex paedophile who groomed and sexually abused a little girl has had years shaved off his sentence because he is autistic.Steven Field, 52, of Marks Court, Southend, was caught with over 100,000 indecent images of children, including around 2,000 photos and videos.
Among his collection were more than 400 illegal images he had personally taken years earlier of a girl.
The girl's mother described her daughter's change in behavior and suffering nightmares after the abuse was uncovered.
Field was jailed for seven years, but this was reduced by two years due to his autism spectrum disorder.
His home was raided in September 2021 and a second raid in 2023 uncovered more illegal images and videos.
He initially pleaded guilty to possessing over 100,000 indecent images but denied taking them or abusing the girl.
Later, he pleaded guilty to taking the images of the girl but was convicted of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration.
The victim’s mother expressed her feelings of guilt and the impact on her daughter, who became withdrawn and struggled with social interactions.
Field’s condition was cited by the defense as likely having impaired his appreciation of the harm caused.
The judge reduced his sentence, acknowledging his vulnerabilities and health issues, including mobility problems after a stroke and eating disorders linked to autism.
