WOOTTON SEX PREDATOR STEVEN OXBORROW SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN HAMPSHIRE AND NEW MILTON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community of Wootton and the surrounding areas of New Milton, Hampshire, Steven Oxborrow, aged 33, has been sentenced to over 13 years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving young children. Oxborrow, who resided on Wilverley Road in Wootton, was once regarded as a trusted figure within the community, serving as a children's martial arts instructor and entertainer. However, beneath this facade, he engaged in a prolonged pattern of sexual abuse spanning more than seven years.

Between January 2005 and June 2012, Oxborrow exploited three young victims in the Wootton and New Milton regions. His crimes included multiple counts of sexual activity with a child under the age of 13, sexual assault, and the possession and creation of indecent images of minors. The severity of his offenses was underscored during his trial at Southampton Crown Court, where a jury found him guilty of five counts of sexual activity with a child under 13, three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of making indecent photographs of a child, one count of possession of such images, and a particularly grave charge of raping a child under 13.

Following the conviction, Oxborrow was sentenced by a judge at Southampton Crown Court to serve a term of 13 and a half years in prison. Additionally, he was given an extra year on license, ensuring close supervision upon his release. The court also imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which restricts him from contacting any of his victims for the rest of his life. All three victims were granted lifelong restraining orders, explicitly prohibiting Oxborrow from making any contact with them.

Furthermore, Oxborrow was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, a measure designed to monitor and prevent further offenses. The criminal investigation that led to his conviction was initiated after one of the victims, who was only 12 years old at the time, came forward. This victim disclosed the abuse after a concerned parent discovered inappropriate messages exchanged between the child and Oxborrow on a family computer. The authorities uncovered additional evidence, including another victim who reported being sexually abused during martial arts classes, and found indecent images of children stored on Oxborrow’s computer. The case has highlighted the importance of vigilance within communities and the devastating impact of abuse by individuals who are supposed to be trusted figures.