All of the criminals pictured here have been sent to begin prison sentences, at the conclusion of Sheffield Crown Court hearings held over the last month.
Some acknowledged their wrongdoing through guilty pleas, while others were convicted by juries at the conclusion of trials held at the same court.
The length of the sentences passed down by Sheffield judges varies dramatically, ranging from four weeks to life imprisonment.
Full court reports on each of the defendants featured here can be found on the ‘crime’ section of The Star’s website.
Some acknowledged their wrongdoing through guilty pleas, while others were convicted by juries at the conclusion of trials held at the same court.
![“No child should ever have to have their innocence taken away like this,” a heartbroken mum said as she faced the Sheffield man who sexually assaulted her six-year-old daughter.
The defendant, Adam Wainwright, stayed silent as he was forced to hear the devastating impact his sexual offending has had on the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
Speaking through tears during a Sheffield Crown Court hearing, the girl’s mother said Wainwright’s actions had robbed her daughter of ‘some of her childhood’.
“[He] didn't care or have any remorse when he did that. He ran away and denied it,” she said.
The girl’s mother told a hearing held on June 7, 2024 that while ‘no sentence passed will take back what he’s done’ she hoped the one passed could ‘reflect’ the ‘damage’ caused to her young child.
Jailing Wainwright for three-and-a-half years, Recorder Anthony Hawks told him: “You sexually assaulted her, the consequences are disastrous. Because of a moment of sexual madness…you’ve caused catastrophic harm.”
Recorder Hawks also made Wainwright the subject of a sexual harm prevention order, restricting contact with children under the age of 16, which will run without limit of time.
Wainwright was also told he must remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/14/8/41/Adam%20Wainwright%3A%20%27No%20child%20should%20have%20innocence%20taken%20away%2C%27%20says%20heartbroken%20mum%20after%20Sheffield%20man%27s%20abuse.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
9. Adam Wainwright: 'No child should have innocence taken away,' says heartbroken mum after Sheffield man's abuse
“No child should ever have to have their innocence taken away like this,” a heartbroken mum said as she faced the Sheffield man who sexually assaulted her six-year-old daughter. The defendant, Adam Wainwright, stayed silent as he was forced to hear the devastating impact his sexual offending has had on the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons. Speaking through tears during a Sheffield Crown Court hearing, the girl’s mother said Wainwright’s actions had robbed her daughter of ‘some of her childhood’. “[He] didn't care or have any remorse when he did that. He ran away and denied it,” she said. The girl’s mother told a hearing held on June 7, 2024 that while ‘no sentence passed will take back what he’s done’ she hoped the one passed could ‘reflect’ the ‘damage’ caused to her young child. Jailing Wainwright for three-and-a-half years, Recorder Anthony Hawks told him: “You sexually assaulted her, the consequences are disastrous. Because of a moment of sexual madness…you’ve caused catastrophic harm.” Recorder Hawks also made Wainwright the subject of a sexual harm prevention order, restricting contact with children under the age of 16, which will run without limit of time. Wainwright was also told he must remain on the sex offenders’ register for life. | SYP
![A ‘vile’ sex offender who was convicted of assaulting a woman in Barnsley has been locked up for 21 years.
Steven Kerley, 36, of Park View, Brierley, was handed an extended sentence of 21 years, comprising 18 years’ imprisonment and an extension period of three years, at Sheffield Crown Court.
It followed a trial in which he was convicted of sexual assault by penetration, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and coercive/controlling behaviour at Sheffield Crown Court on April 24. He was found not guilty of six other counts.
The trial stemmed from a report of a sexual assault of a 25-year-old woman in Barnsley on May 2 2021.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said an investigation was immediately launched, and a scene established, attended by crime scene investigators. House-to-house and CCTV enquiries were also carried out. In addition, officers put in place safeguarding measures to ensure the wellbeing of the victim.
Kerley was arrested on three days later. He was bailed pending further enquiries and was charged with assault by penetration on August 10 2022.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/14/8/49/Sex%20offender%20Steven%20Kerley%20locked%20up%20for%2021%20years%20for%20%27vile%27%20assault.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=300)
10. Sex offender Steven Kerley locked up for 21 years for 'vile' assault
A ‘vile’ sex offender who was convicted of assaulting a woman in Barnsley has been locked up for 21 years. Steven Kerley, 36, of Park View, Brierley, was handed an extended sentence of 21 years, comprising 18 years’ imprisonment and an extension period of three years, at Sheffield Crown Court. It followed a trial in which he was convicted of sexual assault by penetration, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and coercive/controlling behaviour at Sheffield Crown Court on April 24. He was found not guilty of six other counts. The trial stemmed from a report of a sexual assault of a 25-year-old woman in Barnsley on May 2 2021. A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said an investigation was immediately launched, and a scene established, attended by crime scene investigators. House-to-house and CCTV enquiries were also carried out. In addition, officers put in place safeguarding measures to ensure the wellbeing of the victim. Kerley was arrested on three days later. He was bailed pending further enquiries and was charged with assault by penetration on August 10 2022. | SYP