Suffolk man pleads guilty to sexually abusing two victims in Essex
Stephen Harper, 60, of Hill Rise, Stowmarket, was accused of assaulting two people in Stansted Mountfitchet between 2008 and 2024
A man from Suffolk has pleaded guilty to abusing two victims in Essex.
Stephen Harper, 60, of Hill Rise in Stowmarket, was accused of assaulting two victims between 2008 and 2024 in the area of Stansted Mountfitchet.
Harper appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court in 13 January 2026 and pleaded guilty to eight counts; four of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, and four of sexual assault.
He will be sentenced at the same court on 12 February 2026.
Detective Siobhan Murphy said:
“The two victims in this case did something incredibly difficult by talking to us about what Harper had done, and I’m so glad they did – their actions have helped us ensure a dangerous offender will be sent to prison.
I’d like to thank them and their families for their support and for their dignity and composure since this case began in 2024. This kind of abuse has no place in our society.
My colleagues and I are working tirelessly across the force’s Public Protection Command to bring these cases down even further.”