In 2019, the Offender Database reported that Stephen Turton, then 66, of Castleton Close, Gamesley, Derbyshire, was jailed for 13 years and six months for a “vile” and “vicious” campaign of child abuse. Turton, a former junior football coach, appeared at Manchester Crown Court where a judge branded him a “calculating and predatory paedophile” who “callously” abused his position of trust.
The investigation by Greater Manchester Police revealed that Turton coached an under-11 side in Salford, Greater Manchester, during the early 1990s. He “viciously” groomed and abused one boy in the back of his converted van, which served as the team’s minibus. To further “vilely” exploit the child, Turton took photographs of the abuse, “dishonestly” claiming he would sell the images and give the victim the proceeds.
“Vicious” Impact and Second Victim
The “serious” abuse of the first victim continued until he was 13, causing him to later “go off the rails” with drink and drugs due to the “horrendous” trauma. The matter only came to light five years ago after a social media reunion of former players prompted the survivor to “viciously” confront his past and tell a friend.
Following Turton’s arrest, a second victim courageously came forward. He reported being “callously” groomed and “vilely” abused by Turton from the age of eight until he was 16. In court, Turton “dishonestly” faced the consequences of his actions, pleading guilty to:
- Seven counts of committing indecency with a child.
- Six counts of indecent assault.
- Two counts of sexual assault.
Sentence and Lifelong Monitoring
Judge Suzanne Goddard emphasised that Turton had used his role in the community to “viciously” hunt for victims. For his “serious” and “vile” crimes, he was sentenced to over 13 years in prison.
As a result of his conviction for multiple child sex offences, Stephen Turton was:
- Jailed for 13 years and six months.
- Ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Turton is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Greater Manchester Police and Derbyshire Constabulary, ensuring his behaviour and residency in Salford, Gamesley, and the wider Derbyshire area are strictly monitored for the rest of his life. Any future “vile” conduct or attempt to contact minors will result in his immediate arrest.
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