Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Monday, 27th January 2025, at 12:50hrs
He will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life
A man who carried out a string of sex offences three decades ago has been jailed – thanks to his victim’s bravery.
Steven Hinchan subjected his teenage victim to a series of sexual assaults in the mid-1990s.
After living with the impact of Hinchan’s crimes for most of her life, the brave woman reported the abuse to officers and, in 2021, an investigation was launched by the Force’s Safeguarding Department.
Hinchan, now 56, attended a police station to be interviewed but denied the allegations put towards him.
However, later that year, Hinchan was charged with five counts of indecent assault – being that the offences took place before the Sexual Offences Act was introduced in 2003.
He continued to deny the allegations and went on trial at Newcastle Crown Court. In November, a jury at Newcastle Crown Court found him guilty of all offences.
Last Friday (January 17), Hinchan, of Grosvenor Court, Newcastle, was handed a seven-and-a-half-year sentence behind bars at the same court.
He will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for the rest of his life and is prevented from ever contacting the victim.
Speaking after the sentencing, the victim has shared these words: “The term ‘historical’ does not accurately describe the abuse I endured, and I do not identify with the label ‘survivor.’
“Both terms suggest that the abuse is confined to my past, but for me, the fear and anxiety remain an everyday reality.
“I feel perpetually trapped in states of fight, flight, and freeze, unable to fully escape the shadow of what happened.”
She added: “Since the day the abuse began, I have felt as though I’ve been infected with an incurable disease. I lived in shame and secrecy, unable to share the full extent of the abuse with anyone.
“His words — that no one would believe me — imprisoned me in a pit of silence for almost 30 years.”
She continued: “I have now had to accept that no amount of therapy, medication or time will erase what he did to me.
“What was taken from me has altered the course of my life irreversibly. No sentence can undo this damage, but I hope this process will provide some finality, allowing me to begin a new chapter.”
The officer leading the investigation for Northumbria Police, Detective Sergeant Barbara Callaghan, has praised the bravery of the victim for speaking out and hopes it gives others the courage to come forward.
She said: “I hope this case shows other people out there who may be hesitant to come forward that it’s never too late to seek justice.
“The victim battled with the consequences of Hinchan’s horrific crimes for most of her life – but bravely disclosed what happened to police, allowing us to take action.
“Her voice has now been heard loud and clear – and because of her that a dangerous man is in prison.”
Det Sgt Callaghan added: “No one should have to go through anything like this, and I’d urge anyone who has been a victim of any form of sexual offending to reach out, whether it happened yesterday, or decades ago.
“There is no time limit on support – we’re here for you.”
To access support or more information on how to disclose sexual assault or rape, visit Northumbria Police’s website: https://www.northumbria.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/
To report any other type of recent or non-recent abuse, send the Force a direct message on social media, use the live chat function on the Force website or go to the report pages, also on the website.
For those unable to contact police via those ways, call 101.
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