'Dangerous offender' from Gosport who sexually assaulted child for three years is jailed
Police have praised his victim’s courage after she spoke out about her horrifying ordeal.
A man who unleashed a torrent of sexual abuse against a child has been thrown behind bars for more than a decade.
Stephen Street, 65 from Aspengrove in Gosport, was found guilty by a jury of multiple sexual offences against a child between 2021 and 2024. His victim, who has a life-long right to anonymity, was under 10 years old.
At Portsmouth Crown Court, he was convicted of seven counts of sexual assault of a girl under the age of 13, one count of sexual assault by penetration of a girl under the age of 13, one count of causing or inciting sexual activity with a girl under the age of 13, one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child.
Street also pleaded guilty to six offences of making/possessing of indecent images of children, and one offence of possessing extreme pornographic images.
Investigating Officer, DC David Sloan from the specialist eastern area child abuse investigation team, said: “The Judge in this case, Judge James Newton-Price KC, categorised Street as a ‘dangerous offender’ who had ‘abused, damaged and corrupted’ the victim and that he ‘exploited her’ solely for his own pleasure.
“He went on to say that the sentence and extended license period reflected the very high risk of Street causing serious and enduring harm - physical and psychological - to other young girls.
“I want to commend the victim in this case for her courage shown throughout this process and telling us what happened during her three-year ordeal. Her bravery has brought Street to justice and resulted in a significant custodial sentence”.
Today (Wednesday, May 6), he was sentenced to 15 years in jail, plus a further five years on licence. Street was also made subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and restraining order.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary encourages anyone who has concerns about these types of offences to contact them on 101, where you can speak to an officer in confidence. Other services are available that can offer specialist support to help people deal with the impact of abuse.