Steven Yates, a 47-year-old resident of Southport, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on 10 January 2026 after being found guilty of nine sexual offences against a vulnerable woman in her 30s suffering from severe learning difficulties. The court heard that Yates had repeatedly engaged in sexual activity with the victim, fully aware or reasonably expected to know that she lacked the mental capacity to consent, thereby exploiting her vulnerability for his own sexual gratification.
The abuse included Yates rubbing and stroking the woman's arms and legs, kissing her, and discussing 'dating' despite her explicit statements that she could not consent 'in the eyes of the law'. On one occasion, he touched her breasts over her clothing and guided her hand to stroke his inner and outer thigh while talking about his sexual arousal. In another incident, Yates invited the complainant into his bedroom and expressed his desire to have sex with her. When she threatened to tell her mother about the happenings, Yates warned her that she would be 'put in a home' if she did so, using intimidation to silence her.
- Prosecutor Keith Sutton presented evidence detailing the non-consensual nature of the interactions.
- The victim's mother provided a poignant statement, describing how Yates parked beside their car outside a Farmfoods store and 'laughed at' her daughter, stating: 'I don't believe Mr Yates cares about the damage he's done to my family. Mr Yates used us and abused my daughter. I'll never understand why he did this.'
The victim herself described the kiss as 'horrible' and said Yates's behaviour made her feel 'really sad and angry', with his threats causing her significant distress, as was evident during her testimony. Judge Gary Woodhall, in sentencing, emphasised: 'As a result of her condition, she is somebody who lacks the capacity to consent to sexual activity. She is a vulnerable adult. Despite your assertions to the contrary, the jury were satisfied that you knew or could reasonably have been expected to have known that she lacked the mental capacity to consent to sexual activity. You exploited her vulnerability for your own sexual gratification.'
Defence barrister Anthony Horsfall highlighted a three-year delay between the offences being reported and Yates's first court appearance, attributing it partly to the defendant's pursuit of a trial. He also noted Yates's mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, a history of self-harm, and suicide attempts stemming from childhood trauma, as well as physical ailments requiring walking sticks and carers four times a week. Yates, who has no previous convictions except for a 2020 malicious communications offence, is the full-time carer for his blind and epileptic wife, a role he had taken on since late 2022.
Despite substantial personal mitigation, including the impact on his wife and his own vulnerabilities, Judge Woodhall imposed a custodial sentence of four years and nine months. Yates received an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, a 15-year restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim, and was placed on the sex offenders' register for life. His wife burst into tears in the public gallery as the sentence was announced. Yates maintains his innocence, rejecting the jury's verdict.
Merseyside Police Detective Constable Chris Condliff commented post-hearing: 'This was a shocking case involving the sexual assault of a vulnerable woman, and it's only right that Yates is now spending time behind bars. Yates subjected her to a traumatic ordeal, and we are continuing to support her through this difficult process.' The force reaffirmed its commitment to protecting victims of sexual abuse and encouraged reporting of such offences.