Stephen Gallagher Jailed for 25 Years for Sexual Offences and Victim Manipulation

A sex offender, whom police stated attempted to “financially and emotionally manipulate” his victims, has been incarcerated for 25 years. Stephen Gallagher, residing at Normandy Avenue in Colchester, was found guilty by jurors of 10 sexual offences, including rape. The 59-year-old was also served with an indefinite restraining order against his victims. Detectives indicated they commenced an investigation in 2016 after a woman asserted he abused her multiple times when she was a child. Essex Police reported that more victims subsequently contacted the force, claiming abuse by Gallagher. Det Sgt Carol Astbury stated, “These victims have waited eight years since reporting to get justice and hold Gallagher accountable.” He denied all the allegations against him but was convicted in May. Gallagher was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday. Police noted that the trial was postponed twice, and sentencing was adjourned three times. He was convicted of two counts of sexual assault of a child aged under 13, three counts of rape of a child aged under 13, two counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of indecent assault, and one count of sexual assault. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.