APPLETON MAN STEWART BEDDALL DIES IN WAKEFIELD PRISON AFTER ABUSING STEPDAUGHTER

In February 2010, the tragic news emerged that Stewart Beddall, a man from Appleton, had passed away while serving his sentence in Wakefield Prison. Beddall, aged 60 at the time of his death on January 22, was convicted of heinous crimes involving his stepdaughter, Stephanie Wright, whom he had subjected to a series of sexual abuses over several years.

Stephanie, now 29 years old, has spoken openly about her complex feelings following her stepfather’s death. She expressed a mixture of relief and anger, stating, "I felt mixed emotions when I heard he had died. I felt relief that I don’t have to live in fear anymore and that he is not going to hurt anybody else." She also revealed her disappointment that Beddall did not serve his full sentence, adding, "I feel angry in a way that he has not served his full sentence. I wanted him to admit what he did, he would have had to admit his crimes to get parole."

Stephanie described her initial feelings of admiration for Beddall, whom she once regarded as her hero. She explained, "He was my hero. But he groomed me. He was the dad I always wanted and he treated me like a princess." The abuse began when she was just 13 years old, and at the time, she believed it was a form of love. "He would touch my love handles and say they were his little puppies," she recounted.

Her nightmare continued throughout her teenage years, culminating in rape when she was 21. Despite her suffering, she was terrified to speak out, fearing for her life and believing her mother would not believe her. "He said he would kill me if it ever came out and said my mum wouldn’t believe me because she needed him more than me," she revealed. Beddall’s threats and manipulation led to her family turning their backs on her when she finally confided in others about her childhood trauma.

During her pregnancy with her son Jack, now five years old, Stephanie found solace and strength in reading the book *Little Prisoner*, which told the story of a woman abused by her stepfather. This book helped her realize that her experiences were real and gave her the courage to pursue justice. She moved away from Warrington to rebuild her life and emphasized that the pursuit of justice can still be pursued long after the crimes occurred. "If somebody is in the same situation, it doesn’t matter how long ago it happened – the Crown Prosecution Service can still get a conviction," she said. "It’s like a jigsaw – if it is the truth, it will all piece together."

Stephanie expressed her hope that sharing her story might inspire others to come forward. She reflected on her difficult childhood, saying, "There are times when I feel like my childhood has been taken away, but there are no good memories to miss. I have been to hell and back. It has taken me four years to rebuild my life, and I am getting stronger and stronger." Despite her family’s unwavering support for Beddall until his death, she acknowledged that she is better off without those who supported him. "I have to live with what he did. My life begins now," she declared. Counseling and therapy have played a significant role in her healing process, helping her to move forward from the trauma she endured.