STEVE HILL'S SHOCKING CRIME IN NEWCASTLE: PERVERT TARGETS TEEN GIRLS AT MCDONALD'S
In the early hours of a January morning in Newcastle, a disturbing incident unfolded involving Steven Hill, a 43-year-old man with a troubling history of harassment.The events took place at a McDonald's restaurant situated on Northumberland Street, a busy commercial area known for its vibrant nightlife and bustling crowds.
According to court reports, Hill targeted two teenage girls, both aged 15, who were in the restaurant around 3:30 am.
The young girls had been ordering food when Hill's inappropriate behavior began.
While one girl was at the counter, her friend was seated alone at a table.
It was during this time that Hill approached the girl sitting alone and sat beside her without invitation.
Witnesses and the victim's statement describe how Hill proceeded to stroke her leg, an act that caused her immediate fear and discomfort.
The court heard that he then attempted to kiss her, trying to force his tongue into her mouth.
The young girl, frightened and distressed, pushed him away and told him to stop.
Recognizing the danger, she quickly moved to join her friend, and the two girls left the restaurant in haste.
However, Hill did not cease his pursuit.
The court was told that he followed the girls as they made their way to a nearby friend's house.
Once there, Hill continued his inappropriate behavior by making lewd comments to the teenagers before exposing himself to them.
The girls, understandably shaken, contacted the police immediately.
Law enforcement officers responded swiftly, and Hill was arrested at the scene.
During police interviews, Hill, a father of two with no prior sexual offense convictions, admitted to the exposure but claimed he could not remember the incident clearly.
Despite this, he pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault and exposure in Newcastle Magistrates’ Court.
In sentencing, District Judge Gary Garland acknowledged the severity of Hill’s actions.
He sentenced Hill to 28 days in prison, suspended for two years, emphasizing that the offences were so serious they warranted a custodial sentence.
The judge remarked on the gravity of the crimes, especially given the location and the vulnerability of the victims.
He pointed out that the incidents occurred in and around McDonald's and the adjacent area, involving two young girls.
Judge Garland stated, “You know these offences are serious, you don’t need me to go over it to enforce how serious the matters were.
Bearing in mind, these took place in and around McDonald’s and the area adjacent to it and they are two young girls.
If one was to be unkind, we might ask what were they doing out at that time of night and what were they doing drinking, but that doesn’t invite you to take advantage of them in the way you clearly did.” He further added, “The touching and advancing towards them is bad enough but then you expose yourself also.
Fair dos for admitting it, even though you don’t remember the exposure.
These offences together are so serious, that a custody sentence is justified.” Rehana Haq, prosecuting, detailed the events, stating that the girls were in McDonald's at 3:30 am when Hill noticed them.
She read from the victim’s statement: “My friend went to the counter and I stayed seated.
A male approached the table.
This male had tattoos on his forearms.
He approached me and said ‘Are you all right?’ He sat down next to me and stroked my left leg.
He then started kissing me on the lips.
I pushed him off and told him to stop and went to my friend.
I don’t know why I didn’t tell staff then what had happened.” The court also heard that after leaving McDonald's, the girls went to a nearby friend’s house.
It was at this location that Hill, who had previous convictions for harassment, made lewd comments and then exposed himself.
The police were called, and Hill was taken into custody.
During the hearing, Hill, who appeared emotional, expressed remorse and stated that he could not remember the exposure but accepted that he had done it.
The court also ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the potential risk to the community.
