Stephen John Mitchell

Stephen John Mitchell, 67, from Northstead Flats in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, has been sentenced to ten years and nine months in prison for a series of depraved sexual offences against a young boy during the 1990s. The abuse, which began when the victim was of primary school age, involved grooming tactics that escalated into repeated acts of sexual violence and exploitation.

Mitchell pleaded guilty in March at York Crown Court to six charges: five counts of raping the child, four counts of indecency with a child, and one count of indecent assault against a child. The offences encompassed multiple incidents, including inciting the boy to masturbate him, perform oral sex, and engaging in penetrative acts. The grooming started innocuously with Mitchell buying the boy food and allowing him to watch cartoons on satellite TV, but soon progressed to exposing the child to pornographic films and performing sex acts on himself in the boy's presence. This quickly escalated to forcing the victim to reciprocate various sexual acts.

The abuse persisted for years, with Mitchell using threats to maintain silence, warning the boy that he would harm a younger child close to the victim if anyone was told. The case came to light when the now-adult victim bravely came forward, providing crucial evidence that led to Mitchell's guilty plea. Sentencing occurred on 13 May 2024 at York Crown Court, where Judge (name not specified in reports) also imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order on Mitchell to protect the public from further offences.

In a powerful victim personal statement read aloud in court, the survivor addressed Mitchell directly: 'You no longer control me, and you cannot destroy me or my family. I am closer to my family than I have ever been and can enjoy a life outside work. I used work as a tool to push my thoughts and feelings to the back of my mind and worked long, long hours. No more, I can now enjoy a life where you have no power. I have come through this as a much stronger person. I will never forgive you Mitchell, the gates of hell are waiting for you.' This statement underscored the profound impact of the abuse and the victim's resilience in overcoming it.

Investigating officer Anne Yates, a Police Staff Investigator with North Yorkshire Police's Safeguarding Investigation Team, highlighted Mitchell's lack of remorse: 'Mitchell has shown no remorse for the horrific abuse that he inflicted on an innocent child. The victim has shown immense courage in coming forward and providing the evidence that gave Mitchell no option but to plead guilty. No child should ever have to experience the trauma that he had to endure over a prolonged period of time. But he has come through this strong and with hope for the future, which is truly admirable.' The case was reported by the Gazette & Herald, drawing on details from North Yorkshire Police and court proceedings.