STEVE MATHERS FROM GIRLINGTON JAILED FOR 15 YEARS OVER BRADFORD CHILD SEX ABUSE CASE
| Red Rose Database
Girlington Rapist
In a case that has shocked the Bradford community, Steven Mathers, a 51-year-old man residing on Kensington Street in the Girlington area, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 15 years for his involvement in the repeated sexual abuse of two young girls. The court heard harrowing details of how Mathers manipulated and threatened his victims, who were only children at the time, to silence their fears and prevent them from reporting his crimes.
During the proceedings at Bradford Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC described the case as “a dreadful case” that warranted a “draconian and punitive” sentence. The judge emphasized the severity of Mathers’ actions, which involved a “catalogue of protracted and repeated sexual abuse” over several years. He condemned Mathers for his manipulative tactics, including warning the children that they would be in trouble if they disclosed what was happening to them, a common feature among predatory offenders.
Mathers pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including indecently assaulting his first victim, who was just ten years old when the abuse began, and continuing until she was 13. He also admitted to committing gross indecency on her. Regarding his second victim, Mathers confessed to sexually assaulting her, inciting her to engage in sexual activities, and attempting to rape her on three separate occasions. This second girl was between the ages of 11 and 15 during the period of her abuse.
Prosecutor Kirstie Watson outlined that these charges reflected a pattern of weekly abuse spanning several years, highlighting the sustained nature of Mathers’ criminal conduct. In addition to the abuse charges, Mathers also pleaded guilty to possessing three indecent film clips featuring young girls, although these did not involve the children he was convicted of abusing.
Defense barrister Rebecca Young argued that Mathers’ guilty pleas had spared the victims the additional trauma of giving evidence in court. She acknowledged the lasting damage caused by his actions and emphasized that Mathers was burdened with guilt. She described how he had lost everything—his family’s support, his home, his employment, and his social connections—due to his criminal behavior.
Following the sentencing, Judge Durham Hall imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to further protect children from Mathers. Additionally, he ordered that Mathers be registered as a sex offender with the police for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and safeguarding measures to prevent any future harm.
During the proceedings at Bradford Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC described the case as “a dreadful case” that warranted a “draconian and punitive” sentence. The judge emphasized the severity of Mathers’ actions, which involved a “catalogue of protracted and repeated sexual abuse” over several years. He condemned Mathers for his manipulative tactics, including warning the children that they would be in trouble if they disclosed what was happening to them, a common feature among predatory offenders.
Mathers pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including indecently assaulting his first victim, who was just ten years old when the abuse began, and continuing until she was 13. He also admitted to committing gross indecency on her. Regarding his second victim, Mathers confessed to sexually assaulting her, inciting her to engage in sexual activities, and attempting to rape her on three separate occasions. This second girl was between the ages of 11 and 15 during the period of her abuse.
Prosecutor Kirstie Watson outlined that these charges reflected a pattern of weekly abuse spanning several years, highlighting the sustained nature of Mathers’ criminal conduct. In addition to the abuse charges, Mathers also pleaded guilty to possessing three indecent film clips featuring young girls, although these did not involve the children he was convicted of abusing.
Defense barrister Rebecca Young argued that Mathers’ guilty pleas had spared the victims the additional trauma of giving evidence in court. She acknowledged the lasting damage caused by his actions and emphasized that Mathers was burdened with guilt. She described how he had lost everything—his family’s support, his home, his employment, and his social connections—due to his criminal behavior.
Following the sentencing, Judge Durham Hall imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to further protect children from Mathers. Additionally, he ordered that Mathers be registered as a sex offender with the police for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and safeguarding measures to prevent any future harm.