A 51-year-old man has today, Thursday 16 June, been jailed for raping a man on Crosby beach last year.

Stephen Elms, of Sandheys Terrace, Waterloo, was sentenced to 16 years, plus four years on licence at Liverpool Crown Court, following a trial.

At around 3.40am on Sunday 28 November 2021, Elms approached his victim who was walking along Oxford Road, Crosby.

Elms took him to Crosby beach where he raped and sexually assaulted him.

Elms then left the scene and his victim was found by patrols a short distance away.

An investigation was launched by police including extensive CCTV and forensic enquiries.

Several days later, on Thursday 2 December, officers located Elms’ van and detained and arrested him.

He was taken into custody for questioning, charged with rape and remanded into custody.

Elms went on to deny the charges in court but was found guilty by a jury.

In a statement, Elm’s victim spoke of how, since the attack, he has “found it really hard to deal and cope with every single day…I am a young man who should be starting out with my adult life – instead I am stuck and that monster has taken away innocence.

“I can never forgive him for what he did to me…at this moment I feel safe in the knowledge he has been locked away.”

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Parry said: “We welcome that Elms has been jailed for a significant length of time.

“Elms subjected his victim to an utterly horrendous attack, the effects of which he still lives with today. He continues to receive support from specially trained officers.

“Not only did Elms subject him to an appalling attack but he also made his victim endure the ordeal of a trial. Fortunately, the jury saw through Elms’ lies and he can now consider the consequences of his despicable actions while behind bars.

“I would like to praise the victim for the bravery has shown throughout the investigation and trial. I hope the fact that Elms has been jailed will bring the victim some closure and help him start to rebuild his life.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to remind anyone who has been the victim of any sexual assault that there is extensive help and support available to you.

“Here at Merseyside Police we have specially trained officers in our dedicated Unity Team who will listen to you and treat you with the utmost sensitivity and compassion. There are also a number of reliable and trusted organisations and charities who will support you from your initial report, right through the court process and beyond.”

You can report a sexual offence allegation by calling 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.

Merseyside Police, alongside three other forces, have also been part of a pilot project for a new service to report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences online – with the option to report anonymously.

The new online Rape and Sexual Assault reporting service is now live on the website here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/...xual-offences/ and enables people who do not require immediate police assistance to report the crime via their local force website.

If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind, support is available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service delivered jointly by two registered charities. In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.

For anyone who felt or feels unsafe in public spaces the Home Office has set up a pilot service (StreetSafe | Police.uk (www.police.uk) for anyone to anonymously report public places where they have felt or feel unsafe, because of environmental issues, e.g. street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism and/or because of some behaviours, e.g. being followed or verbally abused. Please note: 'StreetSafe' is not for reporting crime or incidents.