Former teaching assistant Stephen Payne found guilty of sexually assaulting four girls aged between 8 and 12.

On January 26 Stephen Payne was found guilty by a jury at Lewes Crown Court of 13 sexual offences at Dharma Primary School in Patcham, Brighton and sentenced to six and a half years in jail and given a sexual harm prevention order, a restraining order and added to the sex offenders register for life.

Payne sexually assaulted four different girls aged between 8 and 12 at his Brighton home between 2001 and 2018. During this time he worked as a teaching assistant at the Dharma Primary School in Patcham. One victim was linked the school. Sussex Police believe there may be more victims.

PC Donna Bagguley, of the Brighton and Hove’s safeguarding investigation unit, stated that “Payne had abused the trust of his young victims in the most appalling way.”

Steven Payne was charged with nine counts of indecent assault of a girl under 16, three counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged between 3-15, and one count of assault by touching a girl under 13.

On January 26th Payne was found guilty. He was sentenced to six and a half years in jail and given a sexual harm prevention order, a restraining order and added to the sex offenders register for life.

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.