January 2019: Stephen Dawson, 75, of Fernhill Road, west Hull, was fined £300 for failing to complete his annual notification details as a sex offender. He must pay £85 costs and a £30 surcharge.

June 2011

Ex-foster carer jailed for assault on girl could have more victims

A FORMER foster carer who has been jailed for sexually assaulting a child could have more victims.

Retired school caretaker Stephen Edward Dawson, 68, sexually assaulted an eight-year-old girl in Hull and threatened to hurt her girl if she told anyone what he had done.

The police believe he may have other victims and are now urging others to come forward.

Judge Peter Kelson QC, sitting at Durham Crown Court, sentenced Dawson to four years’ imprisonment.

He was convicted of four counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual activity with a child by a jury following a trial at Hull Crown Court. The jury acquitted him of raping the child.

Dawson, of Nash Court, Orchard Park, had previously been a foster carer and had worked as a school caretaker at the former Teskey King School in Inglemire Lane, west Hull.

Detective Constable Debbie Carter, of Humberside Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: “We believe this girl may not be his only victim and there could be others out there.

“We would urge anyone with any information to contact the police.

“Dawson targeted this young girl and told her to keep it a secret.

“She was vulnerable and we believe he targeted her for this reason.

“The victim is fine now and doing really well due to all the support she has been getting from her family.

“She gave evidence at court via a video link.

“It can be a daunting experience to give evidence in court and Dawson took the case to trial and made his victim give evidence to the jury. The girl was really strong and very brave and the jury believed her.

“We believe there may be other victims and we want to help them in anyway we can in confidence.”

The offences occurred in 2004.

The girl came forward last year after she told her mother what Dawson had done.

The police were called and he was arrested at his home.

Judge Kelson QC has ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register.

Anyone who may have been affected by Dawson can call Humberside Police’s Public Protection Unit in confidence on             0845 6060222      .