Man jailed for prolonged abuse of boy

A man has been jailed for a series of sexual assaults on a boy.

In March, Stephen Mitchell, 67, of Northstead Flats, Scarborough, admitted six charges, including raping the boy on five occasions, four counts of indecency with a child, and one charge of indecent assault against a child.

The offences, dating back to the 1990s, began when the boy was of primary school-age, and continued for a number of years.

Appearing at York Crown Court on Tuesday, Mitchell was jailed for10 years and nine months, and issued with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The court case detailed the course of the abuse, which began with Mitchell grooming the primary school-aged victim by buying him food and allowing him to watch cartoons with him on satellite TV.

He then began to show the victim pornographic films, which was followed by Mitchell performing sex acts on himself in front of the child. Mitchell's activity then escalated to inciting the boy to reciprocate.

The abuse continued over a period of years, with Mitchell threatening to abuse another, younger, child if his victim told anyone.

In a personal impact statement, his victim, now an adult, addressed Mitchell directly.

"You no longer control me, and you cannot destroy me or my family," he said.

"I am closer to my family than I have ever been and can enjoy a life outside work.

The statement recalled how the victim has "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."

Police Staff Investigator Anne Yates said: "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."

She said no child should experience the trauma this victim had 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.

"I hope he continues to move on with his life, putting this trauma behind him, knowing that Mitchell is now facing the consequences of his depraved abuse."

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