In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Stephen Asher, then 41, of Maes Teg, Penycae, Wrexham, was sentenced to 60 weeks’ imprisonment at Caernarfon Crown Court. On Wednesday, 9 April 2025, Asher was sentenced after admitting to one count of sexual assault and one count of failing to surrender to bail.
The investigation established that Asher subjected a young girl to a sexual assault by touching her legs and placing his hand over her private parts. The court reported that Asher had denied the offences until the day of his trial, forcing the “traumatised” victim to undergo the ordeal of being cross-examined during a pre-trial hearing.
Delays and Evasion of Justice
The court heard that Asher made a “deliberate attempt” to delay or evade justice by failing to appear in court in July 2024. This resulted in a warrant for his arrest and his subsequent remand in custody from September 2024 until his sentencing.
Judge Timothy Petts noted that Asher showed no remorse and refused to accept responsibility when speaking to the author of a pre-sentence report. Although Asher eventually admitted his intentions were sexual, the judge refused to afford him credit for his late plea, noting the distress caused to the victim by the “cross-examination” process.
Sentence and Registration Requirements
For his crimes in Wrexham and his failure to attend court, Stephen Asher received:
- 60 weeks’ immediate imprisonment.
- Placement on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
- A 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
The judge acknowledged that due to the time Asher had already spent on remand since September 2024, he was likely at the point of automatic release on licence. However, he warned Asher that any breach of his licence or his SHPO would result in a recall to prison.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Asher is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by North Wales Police. His status and his residency in Penycae remain under scrutiny to ensure public safety.
As a registered sex offender until 2035, Asher must comply with strict notification requirements regarding his address and travel. North Wales Police state that they will continue to monitor offenders closely to protect children from “inappropriate and sexual” behaviour. Any failure to comply with his notification provisions will result in his immediate return to Caernarfon Crown Court.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.