NORTH OXFORDSHIRE CHILD RAPIST STEVEN LANGFORD SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
| Red Rose Database
North Oxfordshire Rapist
In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of North Oxfordshire, Steven Langford, a 34-year-old computer expert, has been handed a life sentence after admitting to a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young children. The sentencing took place at Oxford Crown Court, where Langford faced the consequences of his actions, which spanned over several years and involved multiple victims.
Langford was found guilty of 16 charges, including serious sexual offences against seven children whose ages ranged from just 18 months to seven years old. The court heard that Langford’s crimes were particularly disturbing, involving not only physical abuse but also the filming of his acts. The court was told that he had secretly recorded himself abusing the children, with footage dating from January 2001 to August 2004. These recordings were anonymously sent to Thames Valley Police last summer, prompting the investigation that ultimately led to his arrest and conviction.
During the hearing, Judge Julian Hall described Langford as an extraordinarily peculiar individual, using words like “perversion” and “bizarre” to characterize his actions. The judge emphasized the severity of the offences, which included six counts of indecent assault, one of gross indecency, one of a serious sexual offence, and five sexual assaults. Additionally, Langford was found to have downloaded approximately 80,000 indecent images of children, and possession of such material was also part of the charges.
The victims, all of whom are now older than eight, include five girls and two boys. The court revealed that Langford’s access to the children was facilitated through his partner, who worked as a childminder. It was reported that he would sneak into a room where the children often stayed overnight at his residence in North Oxfordshire while they were sleeping, and there, he committed his crimes. The court heard that he had gained access to the children in this manner, exploiting their trust and innocence.
In addition to the life sentence for the most serious sexual offence, the judge imposed concurrent sentences ranging from six months to five years for the other charges. The victims’ families, approximately 16 members in total, attended the court proceedings, expressing their outrage and disappointment over the decision to allow Langford to apply for parole after serving just three and a half years. One family member, who wished to remain anonymous, described the situation as “absolutely disgraceful,” while another argued that Langford should not be considered for parole for at least 15 years.
Earlier in December 2004, Langford faced similar charges, with the court hearing that he had filmed himself raping a child and downloaded a vast amount of child abuse images. The court was told that he had admitted to raping a girl aged between four and six, although he denied two other allegations of rape. The case was adjourned for a psychiatric report to be completed before sentencing could be finalized, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the need for a thorough psychological assessment.
Langford was found guilty of 16 charges, including serious sexual offences against seven children whose ages ranged from just 18 months to seven years old. The court heard that Langford’s crimes were particularly disturbing, involving not only physical abuse but also the filming of his acts. The court was told that he had secretly recorded himself abusing the children, with footage dating from January 2001 to August 2004. These recordings were anonymously sent to Thames Valley Police last summer, prompting the investigation that ultimately led to his arrest and conviction.
During the hearing, Judge Julian Hall described Langford as an extraordinarily peculiar individual, using words like “perversion” and “bizarre” to characterize his actions. The judge emphasized the severity of the offences, which included six counts of indecent assault, one of gross indecency, one of a serious sexual offence, and five sexual assaults. Additionally, Langford was found to have downloaded approximately 80,000 indecent images of children, and possession of such material was also part of the charges.
The victims, all of whom are now older than eight, include five girls and two boys. The court revealed that Langford’s access to the children was facilitated through his partner, who worked as a childminder. It was reported that he would sneak into a room where the children often stayed overnight at his residence in North Oxfordshire while they were sleeping, and there, he committed his crimes. The court heard that he had gained access to the children in this manner, exploiting their trust and innocence.
In addition to the life sentence for the most serious sexual offence, the judge imposed concurrent sentences ranging from six months to five years for the other charges. The victims’ families, approximately 16 members in total, attended the court proceedings, expressing their outrage and disappointment over the decision to allow Langford to apply for parole after serving just three and a half years. One family member, who wished to remain anonymous, described the situation as “absolutely disgraceful,” while another argued that Langford should not be considered for parole for at least 15 years.
Earlier in December 2004, Langford faced similar charges, with the court hearing that he had filmed himself raping a child and downloaded a vast amount of child abuse images. The court was told that he had admitted to raping a girl aged between four and six, although he denied two other allegations of rape. The case was adjourned for a psychiatric report to be completed before sentencing could be finalized, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the need for a thorough psychological assessment.