Stephen Harper

Stephen Harper, aged 60 and residing in Hill Rise, Stowmarket, Suffolk, has pleaded guilty to serious child sexual abuse offences committed against two victims in the Stansted Mountfitchet area of Essex. The abuses occurred over an extended period from 2008 to 2024, highlighting a prolonged pattern of predatory behaviour.

Harper appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court on 13 January 2026, where he entered guilty pleas to eight counts: four charges of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 by touching, and four counts of sexual assault. These admissions mark a significant step in the legal proceedings against him, following investigations initiated in 2024 by Essex Police's Public Protection Command.

Detective Siobhan Murphy, leading the investigation, commended the victims for their courage in coming forward. In a statement released by Essex Police, she said: 'The two victims in this case did something incredibly difficult by talking to us about what Harper had done, and I’m so glad they did – their actions have helped us ensure a dangerous offender will be sent to prison. I’d like to thank them and their families for their support and for their dignity and composure since this case began in 2024. This kind of abuse has no place in our society. My colleagues and I are working tirelessly across the force’s Public Protection Command to bring these cases down even further.'

Sentencing is scheduled for 12 February 2026 at the same court, where Harper is expected to receive a custodial sentence, as indicated by police statements. The case underscores Essex Police's commitment to tackling child sexual exploitation, with the force collaborating across Essex and Suffolk regions to address such crimes.