Urmston Man Jailed For Raping Teenage Girl

Stephen Bernard Allan O'Toole abused the 14 year old for 3 years

Published 7th Dec 2015

A man who subjected a teenage girl to a three-year campaign of rape and sexual abuse has been jailed.

The jury at Minshull Street Crown Court found 50 year old Stephen Bernard Allan O’Toole from Urmston, guilty of six counts of rape.

Today O’Toole was jailed for 13 years. He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, preventing him from having contact with any child, and was also made to sign the Sex Offender's register for life.

The court heard how the abuse began in June 2003, when the victim was just 14-years-old.

Via text message, O'Toole asked the victim to come round to his house and soon after she arrived, he raped her for the first time.

The abuse, which he asked for her to keep secret, continued regularly for three years until the victim even considered it a 'normal relationship'.

It only came to an end after she became pregnant by him at the age of 17, and he took her to a clinic to have an abortion.

Detective Constable Nicola Graham said: "Stephen O'Toole was a cold, calculated, sexual predator, who dominated this young girl's life for years with his exploitation.

"He used her for his own gratification, and when she became pregnant as a result of his abuse he took her to the clinic to try and cover his tracks.

"The systematic abuse she suffered at his hands has had a catastrophic effect on this young girl's life, catapulting her into a life of depression, drink and drugs.

"It was only after she was able to tell her partner and parents that she was able to start getting her life back on track.

"But I hope that this tale can persuade other abuse sufferers that they can come forward and get the justice they deserve.

"We will listen, we will believe, and we will try our very hardest to ensure that those people responsible for the sexual abuse of young boys and girls are held to account for their reprehensible actions."

Project Phoenix is Greater Manchester's multi-agency response to tackling child sex exploitation. Bringing together police, local authorities, NHS and third sector organisations, including Barnardo's, the Children's Society and Crimestoppers,

Project Phoenix aims to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation, help people recognise the signs, encourage people to report it and provide support to victims and those most at risk.

Please visit www.itsnotokay.co.uk for information for children, young people, parents, carers and professionals on how to spot the signs of child sex exploitation and what to do about it.