Essex Police stated officers launched an intensive and delicate investigation after the abuse was reported in June 2024, working intently with the victims and their households.
Stephen Harper has been jailed for 16 years (Picture: Essex Police)
A harmful paedophile who subjected two younger women to a 16-year reign of terror in a quiet Essex village has lastly been jailed. Stephen Harper, 60, of Hill Rise, Stowmarket, Suffolk, abused the victims within the Stansted Mountfitchet space between 2008 and 2024.
He was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in jail at Chelmsford Crown Courtroom after pleading responsible to 9 counts: 5 of assaulting a woman below 13 by touching, and 4 of sexual assault. Harper will stay on the Intercourse Offenders Register for all times and has been handed an indefinite Sexual Hurt Prevention Order. One sufferer advised the courtroom in a press release: “Since his arrest I’ve had nightmares about what he did to me.
“As a result of I couldn’t address what occurred to me and didn’t know easy methods to course of it I spiralled uncontrolled.
“I didn’t comprehend the harm I used to be doing to myself. I closed myself off emotionally and felt misplaced.”
Regardless of the trauma, she added that she hoped Harper obtained the psychological well being help he clearly wanted.
Detective Siobhan Murphy of Essex Police’s Youngster Abuse Investigation Workforce stated: “The 2 victims on this case have continued to hold themselves with unimaginable dignity all through this case, and I’d wish to thank them and their households for his or her help.
“Each of them did one thing extremely tough by speaking to us about what Harper had carried out, and with the work of the Youngster Abuse Investigation Workforce we’ve got now seen a harmful man put behind bars.”
Essex Police stated officers launched an intensive and delicate investigation after the abuse was reported in June 2024, working intently with the victims and their households.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised fees in September 2025 following statements from the victims and proof gathered by detectives.
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Harper appeared at Chelmsford Crown Courtroom on January 13, 2026 and later admitted the offences.
Synergy Essex presents free, confidential help to anybody affected by rape, sexual abuse or sexual violence.
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