UPDATE: Former Alpine Hotel manager James Stewart, 35, is facing urgent new charges after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl and supplying her with alcohol. The shocking details emerged in a County Court hearing on December 16, 2023, where the victim’s heart-wrenching impact statement unveiled the profound emotional and psychological toll of the crime.
Stewart, who had been a respected figure at the Alpine Hotel, was accused of inviting the teenager to his room in the early hours of November 26, 2023. Court documents reveal that he prepared alcoholic beverages and pressured her to sit beside him, despite her clear objections. The victim stated, “I don’t want to do this,” to which Stewart callously replied, “You’ll let me do this.”
The victim’s statement poignantly illustrated her ongoing struggle, stating, “This didn’t just affect my life; it changed everything about me.” She described the nightmare of reliving the assault, expressing, “I couldn’t get any sleep without seeing him in my nightmares.” The emotional weight of her testimony resonated deeply in the courtroom.
In an official statement, Rachael Northwood, owner of the Alpine Hotel, described Stewart as “my number one guy in the business.” However, she confirmed his dismissal occurred the very next day following the incident.
Judge Paul Higham acknowledged the seriousness of the case, indicating that the newly revealed aspects of the victim’s history could serve as an “aggravating factor.” He remarked that Stewart’s prior knowledge of the victim’s traumatic background exacerbated his moral culpability.
Forensic psychologist Pamela Matthews evaluated Stewart and indicated he met the criteria for borderline personality disorder. However, her conclusions were contested, as test results showed he did not meet the clinical threshold for such a diagnosis. Matthews described Stewart as “quite odd” during her assessment, raising questions about his mental state at the time of the offense.
The court proceedings are far from over, with another directions hearing set for February 19, 2024. As this case unfolds, the community remains on high alert, grappling with the implications of this distressing incident and its impact on public safety.
Stay tuned for more updates as this case develops. The urgency of justice for victims like the 17-year-old remains paramount, and the emotional scars from such violations will linger long after the legal proceedings.
