Man jailed following sexual assault at Hyndburn leisure centre

A man has been jailed for engaging in sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice.

The incident happened in the sauna at Hyndburn Leisure Centre in Accrington on 16^th January 2022.

Stephen Tate, 69, approached his victim and without warning performed a sexual act on him.

The victim, who was 19 at the time and has severe learning difficulties, did not want that to happen.

He reported the incident to his dad, who had come to collect him and pointed out Tate to him.

The victim’s dad told Tate to wait but he ignored him and got into his black BMW and drove off.

The victim’s dad took note of the vehicle registration number and reported the matter to the police.

Tate, of Gordon Street, Church, was arrested and later charged with engaging in Sexual Activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice. He was found guilty following a trial at Preston Crown Court in December last year

Tate returned to the same court today (29^th April) where he was jailed for six years. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and was barred from working with children and vulnerable people. Tate was also made subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, which bans him from entering any public sauna, steam room or solarium

In an impact statement to the court, the victim’s dad said: “Our son’s disability has delayed and severely suffered his recovery from this incident. We do not know how long this will take but the mental scars will stay with him for life. We cannot explain how this has truly impacted his mental wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem but this incident has certainly taken away his limited enjoyment in his life.

“As parents, this one incident has damaged our vision and dreams of how we wanted our son to live his life, given his disabilities. He has been robbed of any opportunity to go to professional counselling as we think he feels ashamed or is too scared to communicate with new people.”

DC Vicky Heys said: “This was a despicable offence committed against a vulnerable young man who had no comprehension of what was happening to him. Tate exploited the victim’s vulnerabilities for his own sexual gratification.

“Having committed this offence, he then forced the victim and his family to relive the ordeal by giving evidence during the trial.

“I welcome the sentence handed down to Tate today and hope it encourages other victims of sexual offences to contact the police, confident that you will be believed and that we will do everything in our powers to put the perpetrator before the courts.”

If you or somebody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence, report it online via https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk/  or call 101. If a crime is in progress always call 999.