Founding Saxon bassist Steve Dawson jailed for six years for child sex offences

Founding Saxon bassist Steve Dawson has been jailed for historic child sex offences.

The 72-year-old received a sentence of six years following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court, according to BBC News after he was found guilty at an earlier hearing of four counts of indecent assault of a child under 14.

He was jailed for repeatedly abusing the girl when she was six-years-old during the 1990s.

Det Con Robert Heath, the officer in charge of the case at South Yorkshire Police, said following the verdict: “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. 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.”

He continued: “The result of this case demonstrates just how seriously we take these offences. We hope this provides some encouragement that if you have been subjected to any offence, no matter how long ago it happened, to come forward and report it to us. We are here to listen, investigate and bring the perpetrators before courts.”

Dawson was Saxon’s bassist from their 1975 formation until his departure in 1986, having previously played with guitarist Graham Oliver in Yorkshire band SOB.

He appeared on all their albums from their 1979 self-titled debut until 1985’s ‘Innocence Is No Excuse’.

After Oliver left Saxon in 1995, he and Dawson reunited as Oliver/Dawson Saxon, and played together until the bassist retired from performing in 2021.

For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.

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