Steven Reginald Huxley, a 72-year-old resident of Ellesmere Port, has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offences against children committed over several years. The case, investigated by Cheshire Constabulary, came to light following reports from two victims who suffered abuse during their visits to Huxley's home, where he held a position of trust.
The offences occurred between 2005 and 2008, and from 2006 to 2011. Huxley was convicted on 17 counts of sexual offences against children after a seven-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court, which concluded on 9 October 2024. These charges included rape of a girl under 13 and assault by penetration. Additionally, he had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, three counts of taking indecent images of children, one count of possession of indecent images of children, possessing prohibited images of children, and possession of extreme pornography.
Upon receiving a report of the abuse, Cheshire Police executed a warrant at Huxley's address at Joseph Groome Towers in Ellesmere Port. Officers seized his electronic devices, and a digital forensic analysis revealed over 130,000 uncategorised images depicting child sexual abuse. Among these, 30 were category A images, 27 category B, 1,239 category C, 257 extreme pornography, and 250 prohibited images. Notably, 56 images were first-generation captures taken by Huxley himself of his child victims.
Huxley appeared for sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on 22 January 2025, where he was handed a 23-year custodial sentence and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life. Detective Constable Yvonne Graham of Cheshire Constabulary commented on the case, stating: "What Huxley did was every parent’s worst nightmare. He was trusted to look after the victims, but instead of caring for them he preyed on their vulnerability. He sexually abused them on many occasions, causing untold harm and distress." She further praised the victims' bravery, noting: "It is a testament to the strength, bravery and determination of the victims in this case that we have been able bring Huxley to justice, despite it being 20 years since some of the offences occurred."
The investigation underscores Cheshire Constabulary's commitment to pursuing historical sexual abuse cases, with the force treating all such reports with utmost seriousness. Huxley's actions exploited his position of trust, leading to repeated individual abuse of the young victims over an extended period.