Band "shocked and disgusted" after Saxon rock star jailed for child sex abuse
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Dawson, who founded South Yorkshire heavy metal legends Saxon in the 1970s, has been sentenced to five years behind bars for a string of sick sex attacks on the girl in the 1990s when she was just six years old.
The heavy metal bassist, a member of the band until 1986, later toured and recorded with fellow ex-band member, Mexborough’s Graham Oliver under the name Oliver/Dawson Saxon.
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Hide AdIn October 2021, Dawson announced his departure from the group, telling fans: “It’s been a tough decision to make, but the past few months have given me time to think it through properly and whilst I’ll miss the live performances, I feel stepping down is the right thing to do.”
In the wake of Dawson’s sentencing, his band mates in Graham Oliver’s Army have released a brief statement saying they were “sickened” by his behaviour.
The statement said: “To say we are all shocked and disgusted by Dawson’s actions is an understatement.
"While these vile offences occurred post-Saxon and pre Son of a Bitch/Oliver Dawson Saxon era, we are all sickened by his predatory behaviour against a small child, and hope this prison sentence gives his victim some closure on her terrible ordeal.”
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Hide AdDawson, 72, of Street Lane, Rotherham, was sentenced on Thursday (11 April) at Sheffield Crown Court for four counts of indecent assault of a child under the age of 14.
Dawson was found guilty at an earlier hearing at Sheffield Crown Court this year and was sentenced to a five-year custodial sentence, and one year out on license.
Detective Constable Robert Heath, who was the officer in charge of this case said: “Stephen Dawson thought he had got away with committing these horrific crimes against a young, vulnerable victim 30 years ago.
“She has shown extraordinary strength through coming forward and throughout the course of the investigation, resulting in Dawson spending a number of years in prison.
“It is clear that his evil acts have remained with her throughout her life, and I hope this sentence goes some way to allowing her to move on from these traumatic events."