Child rapist jailed after brave victim sees him in pub years later

A child rapist has been jailed after being recognised by his victim 12 years later – in the pub.

Paedophile Stephen Phillips, 40, raped and sexually abused a schoolgirl when he worked at McDonald’s more than a decade ago.

The brave victim – who says she was left “ashamed” after the attack – was stunned when she recognised her attacker during a night out with friends at her local pub in January 2015.

She confronted him and asked “are you still messing with kids?”, before reporting him to the police.

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Phillips, of Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent, was found guilty of rape of a child under 13 and assault by penetration of a child under 13.

He was jailed for seven years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday (June 9). He will also be placed on the sex offender’s register for life.

Judge David Fletcher, sentencing, told Phillips, who lost his job at McDonald’s shortly after committing the offences: “It was your sexual urges getting the better of you that particular night.

“The rape is a very serious offence. This was not specifically grooming behaviour. I take the view this is a one-off offence.”

Jonathan Dickinson, prosecuting, said: “These offences were committed on the same night. She says the defendant began by stroking her leg before sexually assaulting her.

“Nothing was said. She described herself as being frozen. He then raped her. Although she was frozen at the beginning, she managed to struggle and push him off.”

Mr Dickinson added: “She recognised the defendant, confronted him and asked: ‘Are you still messing with kids’? The defendant hung his head and said: ‘No not any more’.”

Adam Watkins, defending, said: “There is no suggestion of behaviour like this before or in the 12 years since. Of the rape itself, it seems to have been committed within a matter of seconds.

“The jury heard references to suggest that Steven Phillips is someone who has made a significant contribution to the church community.”

In a statement, the victim said: “I’ve tried to just push it to the back of my mind. For years, I was ashamed.

“Going to stand up in court is the most scary, daunting thing in my life. Now I’ve got my life back.

“I’m no longer a victim. I can finally move on with my life and put all this behind me.”