Leeds rapist brought to justice more than three decades after sickening attacks
A rapist who attacked a young girl almost 40 years ago when he was only a teenager has been brought to justice.
Stephen Milner was found guilty after a trial at Leeds Crown Court of two counts of rape of a child dating back to the 1980s.
The 54-year-old was jailed for seven years this week and was told by Judge Tom Bayliss KC: “It happened a long time ago but she has suffered the consequences, and you must now suffer the consequences.”
The victim bravely read out her impact statement to the court, saying she still suffers nightmares and has bouts of crippling depression when she is unable to get out of bed.
As a result, she struggles to hold down jobs and finds it difficult to trust anyone.
The court was told that Milner, of Beckhill Green, Miles Hill, had first attacked the girl when he was around the age of 14. He then attacked her again years later when he had turned 18.
The girl told her mother but it fell on deaf ears and the youngster was simply told not to mention it to anyone.
Milner was eventually arrested but continued to deny the allegations. He was found guilty of the two counts during the trial in early November.
Mitigating during the sentencing hearing, John Batchelor admitted he was restricted because of Milner’s persistent denials, but said there was no evidence that he offended against anyone else.
He added: “We have got no way of knowing the immaturity of the defendant [at the time of the effending].”
He said he was not well man, suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Judge Bayliss said to Milner: “She was vulnerable because of her age. She told her mother more than once and it was swept under the carpet.
“Her reaction was to tell her not to say anything. You may have taken advantage of that situation.
“You are a man in your 50s facing the consequences of something you did as a teenager. There has to be a significant custodial sentence.”
He said Milner would need to serve two-thirds of the sentence before being considered for parole.
He put him on the sex offender register for life.