A man, who comitted a number of sex offences between 1987 and 2003 has been handed a five year prison sentence at Grimsby Crown Court.
Steven SHARLOTTE (53) of Granville Street, Grimsby was first arrested by detectives on 08 August 2012 in connection with a number of sex offences. Following his first arrested he was then released on police bail, to ensure that a through and detailed investigation could be conducted.
On 09 September 2013, Mr SHARLOTTE, who orginates from Leicester, returned to Grimsby Police Station to answer bail and was subsequently charged with:
Three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, between 26 June 1992 and 25 June 1996
Three counts of gross indecency with a boy under 14, between 15 April 1987 and 14 April 1990
Two counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, between 18 September 1997 and 17 September 2000
One count of inciting a boy under 14, to commit a gross act of indecency between 15 April 1987 and 14 April 1990
One count of indecently assaulting a girl under 14, between 04 January 2002 and 03 January 2003.
Temporary Detective Sergeant Jason Nutting of the Southbank Public Protection Unit said “I am happy that the sentence of five years and two months imprisonment handed down to Steven Sharlotte reflects adequately on the offences that he was found guilty of, and hopefully sends out a clear message to others that the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service will work together and seek to bring offenders to justice.
"Steven SHARLOTTE committed these offences a number of years ago when his victims were children, and when word of disclosures to other persons in later life reached him, he sought to silence them by being the first to approach the Police – this was seen by one victim specifically as SHARLOTTE trying to dominate them and ensure that they maintained their silence. However, the passage of time meant that the victims individually decided that enough was enough and that it was time that their accounts were heard. They found the strength to come forward and ultimately stand up and tell their side of the story within the Court room, which was not an easy process for any of them, knowing that their abuser was listening and in some cases watching them give their accounts and be cross-examined.
"Without this courage shown by each of them, Steven SHARLOTTE would have been free to get away with the offences accused of and at liberty to offend against other vulnerable young people. The stress and pressure on each of the victims, and the witnesses involved in the process also, has been hard for them all to deal with, and I would like to pass on my personal and professional thanks and gratitude to all of the persons involved.
"It is thanks to their bravery that this result has come about, and with the assistance of our partners including specifically the Independent Sexual Violence Adviser Kirsty Hodges who has assisted with supporting the victims throughout this investigation, we shall seek to help them all obtain any support and assistance necessary to overcome this offending they have suffered. "
A further hearing is to be held at Grimsby Crown Court on Friday 02 May to establish if a SOPO is to be applied to his sentence.