STEVEN YATES FROM TENBURY WELLS CONVICTED OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AT WITLEY COURT

In a case that has shocked the local community and brought to light the disturbing abuse of a young girl over two decades ago, Steven Yates, a man formerly employed at Witley Court in Great Witley, has been found guilty of multiple charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor. The court proceedings revealed a pattern of grooming and abuse that spanned several years, beginning when the victim was just 12 years old.

Yates, now aged 60 and residing at The Old Forge in Tenbury, faced a jury at Worcester Crown Court where he was convicted of three counts of taking indecent photographs and four counts of indecent assault. The incidents took place behind the ticket office at Witley Court, a historic Worcestershire landmark, during his tenure from October 1991 to April 1995. Despite denying the charges, Yates was unable to escape the evidence presented, which detailed how he manipulated and exploited the young girl.

Prosecutor Rebecca Wade explained that Yates, who was 36 when he began working as the custodian of the property for English Heritage, had groomed the girl from the age of 12. She recounted how he instructed her to undress and posed her for photographs using a Polaroid camera, which printed the images immediately. These photographs were taken in a secluded area behind the ticket office, where Yates would close the door and block the window with a board, creating a private space for his illicit activities.

The court heard that Yates would sometimes lie on top of the girl while she was lying across a desk or make her straddle his lap while he sat on a chair. He also took her to another part of the ruined building near the old conservatory, where he pulled shutters across to hide their activities before kissing her and sexually assaulting her. The girl, who was only 15 at the time, was told by Yates that his wife was pregnant, which added to the complexity of her emotional distress.

Following her disclosure to an adult about the abuse, Yates left his job and disappeared from her life. The victim sought counseling to cope with the trauma, and it was only in 2014, after reading a newspaper story about Yates' conviction for downloading child pornography on his work computer, that she decided to come forward and report her experiences to the police. Her bravery in speaking out was praised by authorities and child protection organizations.

The jury, composed of nine women and two men (one of whom had been discharged earlier), also acquitted Yates of one charge of taking indecent photographs. The judge, Robert Juckes, QC, granted Yates bail but warned that this did not reflect the severity of the sentence he could face, as the offenses crossed the custody threshold. A pre-sentence report has been ordered, and Yates is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on September 26.

Following the verdict, an NSPCC spokesperson issued a statement condemning Yates’ actions, describing his behavior as “devious and calculated,” and emphasizing how he gained the trust of the young girl before abusing her. The spokesperson also commended her courage in coming forward and urged other victims of historic abuse to seek justice, regardless of how much time has passed.

Witley Court’s representatives expressed their dismay at Yates’ betrayal of trust, stating, “Steven Yates worked as a custodian at Witley Court over 20 years ago, from March 1991 to May 1995 when he resigned. We are appalled at what happened and how he betrayed the trust we placed in him.” The case has left a lasting impact on the community and highlights the importance of vigilance and support for victims of child abuse.