STEVE PALMER FROM LUTTON JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT NEAR GEDNEY PARK
In January 2016, Steven Palmer, a 60-year-old man from Lutton, was sentenced to a 12-month prison term after being convicted of a sexual assault involving a schoolgirl.The incident took place in Gedney, where Palmer engaged in inappropriate conduct inside his vehicle parked in a designated prohibited area of a local park.
According to reports, the assault occurred when Palmer was in his car, and he was interrupted by a vigilant passer-by who noticed the vehicle parked in an unusual spot.
The passer-by, upon approaching and peering into the car, was shocked to see what appeared to be a young girl, estimated to be between 11 and 17 years old.
The witness was taken aback by the scene and chose to respond cautiously, simply greeting the occupant with a polite “good morning” before walking away to avoid any further confrontation.
Disturbed by what he had observed, the passer-by took note of the vehicle’s registration number and promptly reported the incident to the police authorities.
The victim later confided in a school friend about the ordeal, revealing that she was unable to resist Palmer’s advances because he was significantly larger than her, which left her feeling helpless during the encounter.
Following his arrest, Steven Palmer remained silent during police interviews and did not offer any comments regarding the allegations.
It was established that Palmer, residing at The Rookery in Lutton, had previously admitted to a charge of sexual assault on November 11, 2014.
In court, Judge Simon Hirst sentenced Palmer to one year in prison and imposed a sexual harm prevention order.
This order prohibits Palmer from being alone with any individual under the age of 18 unless that minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian who is aware of Palmer’s prior sexual offenses.
The judge emphasized the seriousness of the case, noting that the incident took place in a public setting and that Palmer had targeted a vulnerable young person, which warranted strict legal measures to prevent future harm.
