A cowardly drug dealing thug has been jailed for 20 years for a string of violent offences including the rape of a Hove schoolgirl.
Steven Wilson, 36, kidnapped the teenage girl from outside Hove Station after she tried to break free from their violent relationship.
On another occasion he kidnapped her in Sackville Road, Hove.
He was convicted of twice raping the girl who was just 14 when they started seeing each other.
And he was convicted of indecently assaulting the girl, now a 24-year-old mother of two, and kidnapping her on another occasion.
He was also found guilty of twice attacking her, causing her actual bodily harm (ABH).
After Wilson was jailed she said: “Finally I can now have closure on this dark chapter of my life and be able to move on.
“I am pleased that justice has been done and want to thank all of the witnesses that have given evidence.
“I also would like to thank the anti-victimisation unit at Sussex Police for all of their hard work and continuous support.”
Catalogue of violence
Wilson brutally attacked another teenage girlfriend in Boundary Road, Hove, even though she was pregnant and he abducted her too.
And he admitted having heroin and cocaine with intent to supply.
The catalogue of violence, combined with the drugs offences, ended with Wilson being jailed for 20 years as a crown court judge handed down an indeterminate sentence.
In reality Wilson, of Colls Road in Peckham, London, could be out in ten years’ time if he is deemed safe to be released.
Judge Anthony Niblett told Wilson that he was a danger to the public and in particular to women as he sentenced the baby-faced thug at Brighton Crown Court.
And the judge praised the two former girlfriends whose evidence helped to convict Wilson at his trial at Hove Crown Court in November and December.
Wilson admitted that he had intimidated one of his ex-girlfriends to try to prevent her from giving evidence against him.
Detective Constable Lindsey Valder-Davis said: “This case was a catalogue of horrific domestic incidents at the hands of Steven Wilson, a violent, controlling and manipulative man.
Cruel and dangerous
“Justice has been done for the victim and we hope that other victims of domestic violence will come forward to police or to the women’s refuge project Rise which can be contacted on 01273 622822.”
Detective Chief Inspector Nev Kemp said: “These were difficult and complex crimes to investigate, committed by a cruel and dangerous man.
“Wilson was a persistent menace to society and, as these convictions show, to young women in particular.
“I am very proud of the commitment of all the Sussex Police officers and staff who worked hard over a prolonged period of time to bring him to justice.
“I am also grateful to the other agencies who have worked with us in supporting the victims and the Crown Prosecution Service for successfully prosecuting the case.
“My colleagues and I particularly admire the courage shown by the victims who have made a stand and, in doing so, have made it possible to make our communities that little bit safer.”
The offences were committed between 2001 and 2003.
