Ex-Leeds United player raped girl and took pics on phone in ‘depraved’ attacks

A former Leeds United footballer has been jailed for 17 years after raping a teenage girl and taking photos of the attack on his phone.

Stephen Scholes, 55, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday after what was described as a "depraved" attack on the 17-year-old.

He was found guilty of four counts of rape of a woman aged 16 or over, and four counts of assault by penetration, with all eight sex offences taking place in the early hours of January 25, 2020, a court heard.

A court heard that Scholes, who played for Leeds during the 1980s, was staying at a property in Leeds when he took the victim out and "plied her with alcohol". He then took her back to his home after she became "very intoxicated" and "disoriented", telling her that the night was "not over".

It is understood he then climbed into bed with her and started taking her clothes off and touching her inappropriately, despite the fact she was struggling and "shouting for him to stop".

Scholes, who has now been placed on the sex offender's register, took photos of the teen while he was raping her. After the initial attack, he placed her in another room before returning to rape her for a second time.

The former footballer denied all allegations against him when he was arrested and interviewed but a subsequent investigation secured forensic evidence linking him to the offences.

DS Craig Stevens said that after he arrested Scholes, the defendant noticed he was wearing a Leeds United lanyard and told him he used to play for the club decades ago.

"He made a big play of it," he said. "He was so arrogant. He thought he was never going to be found guilty.

"It’s been a long, hard road for the victim. I can’t emphasise enough how brave she’s been since that depraved attack."

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