STEVEN TIPPER FROM PURBECK ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In December 2007, a deeply distressing case emerged involving Steven Tipper, a man from Worcestershire, who was accused of heinous acts involving a young girl from the Purbeck area. The incident has sparked outrage among the victim’s family and the local community, who feel that justice has not been adequately served.

Tipper appeared before Bournemouth Crown Court to face charges of gross indecency with a child. Despite the severity of the allegations, he was handed a sentence that many consider to be lenient—a three-year community rehabilitation order—rather than imprisonment. This decision has left the victim’s mother feeling betrayed and furious, as she believes her daughter’s innocence has been irreparably harmed.

The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about Tipper’s actions. Police investigations uncovered indecent images on his computer, which depicted him exposing himself and engaging in indecent acts in front of the young girl. The girl, who is from the Purbeck area, was reportedly given chocolates and sweets by Tipper, who then allegedly told her to keep their interactions a secret. These revelations have added to the community’s concern about Tipper’s conduct and the safety of children in the area.

Judge Samuel Wiggs was informed that Tipper, aged 48, had a prior criminal history related to the downloading of indecent images of children, for which he had previously served time in prison. During the court hearing, it was noted that Tipper had completed a sex offender treatment program while incarcerated, which influenced the judge’s decision to impose a community-based sentence rather than a custodial one. Tipper had also been previously banned from working with children and was registered as a sex offender.

The mother of the young girl expressed her profound distress, revealing that she was unable to attend the court session because she could not bear to be near Tipper. She described her feelings of disappointment and anger upon learning that he would not be returning to prison. She stated, “Some people go to prison for stealing from a shop but he is let off with just a slap on the wrist for this. My husband and I feel let down by the justice system.”

The case has left many in the community questioning the adequacy of the legal response to such serious offenses, and it has reignited debates about how best to protect vulnerable children from predators like Steven Tipper.