Knowle man sentenced to life for 30 child sex offences
Avon and Somerset Police have called his crimes "shocking, disturbing and upsetting"
A man from Knowle in Bristol has been handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 13 years after admitting 30 child sex offences.
WARNING: You may find the details given below distressing
Steven Sutton, who's 60 and from Redcatch Road, appeared at Bristol Crown Court today (March 23) after admitting the offences which included five counts of raping a child.
As well as his prison sentence, Sutton has also been given a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The court heard how between July 2021 and March 2022, Sutton groomed, abused and raped a young girl, even filming the interactions and storing the videos on his phone and computers.
If she did not cooperate, he would threaten her.
Sutton was initially arrested for downloading indecent images of children, with the full extent of his crimes discovered later, after his electronic devices were seized.
He was then arrested for rape and taking indecent images and further charges were added as officers discovered footage on his devices.
In a victim impact statement, the victim’s mother described Sutton as ‘a monster’.
She said: “When the officers told me, the words to me felt surreal. I was numb. Life will never be the same again and it feels overwhelming.
“My child will never be care-free and running wild again. I hope that with years of support, we may get better. I will do everything I can to make sure we are okay, but it should never have happened.
“He has destroyed my family. He has broken us all in different ways. He has changed her life, changed her future and given her trauma that will affect her for the rest of her life.
“He is a danger to any child and to society. He doesn’t deserve to be free. But I want Sutton to know, he won’t break us forever. We will get stronger; we will get better.”
Investigating officers from Avon and Somerset's Internet Child Abuse Team, PC Rosie Murrell and DC Fiona Currey said: “This has been a harrowing case; Steven Sutton’s crimes are shocking, disturbing and upsetting.
"It is clear that Steven Sutton poses a real and significant risk to children.
“There is no doubt that the community is safer with him behind bars.
"It is difficult for the general public to imagine or comprehend someone is capable of the acts he has done to a child, nor should they have to...
“We would like to publicly praise the victim and her family, who have demonstrated a huge amount of dignity and incredible courage supporting this investigation.
"Their strength throughout is commendable and admirable.
“We hope this outcome sends a clear message to any potential perpetrators or anyone who is committing these types of unspeakable crimes, that this kind of offending will not be tolerated and that we will do everything possible to track you down and bring you to justice.
“We are absolutely committed to protecting children from those who seek to cause them harm, and will never stop in our efforts to hold you accountable for your actions.”
Support
If you have been affected by child sexual abuse, you can contact the police on 101 and speak to a police officer in confidence.
Victims of rape or sexual assault, recent or non-recent, can self-refer to The Bridge, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre available 24/7 365 days a year.
Visit their website at www.thebridgecanhelp.org.uk or call 0117 342 6999.
You can also visit www.thisisnotanexcuse.org for details of charities and organisations who are experts in supporting victims.