The founder of an LGBTQ+ organisation, alleged Paedophile Stephen Ireland, who delivered lectures in educational institutions, claimed that his purported discussions regarding the abduction and sexual assault of minors were mere “fantasy” and “taboo,” attributing his remarks to excessive substance use.
Stephen Ireland, 40, co-founder of Pride in Surrey since 2018, and David Sutton, 27, a volunteer with the charity, are alleged to have “targeted children for their sexual proclivities” between 2022 and 2024, according to prosecutors.
They face a cumulative total of 38 charges, encompassing conspiracy to sexually attack minors, orchestrating child sex offences, and abduction.
Nonetheless, Stephen Ireland informed Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday that there were “no concrete plans to undertake any actions.”
The defendant stated: “David Sutton and I were consuming excessive amounts of cannabis, leading our thoughts to indulge in a fantasy taboo conversation.”
Alex Krikler, representing Stephen Ireland, enquired about WhatsApp chats from 2022, wherein the individuals purportedly discussed “snatching” or “kidnapping” a schoolchild.
Prosecutor Isabel Delamere earlier stated that the discussions beyond mere fantasy, informing jurors that the individuals contemplated approaching minors outside school gates while masquerading as a talent coach or music manager, as well as strategies to evade CCTV surveillance.
Stephen Ireland said: “It’s a fake taboo chat between David and I.”
He told jurors that he visited schools to give talks about the LGBTQ+ community, but that was in a “professional” capacity with staff present and that he had no intention of doing anything unlawful.
Stephen Ireland also spoke of his “regret” over messaging about sexually abusing two children, including a girl aged six, saying they were “stupid conversations” and that nothing happened.
He said there was no intention to visit a swimming pool to “perve”, as prosecutors allege, saying that he would not go there because he is “body conscious” and that the conversation was merely “role-play”.
Stephen Ireland also said that a 17-year-old boy who he is alleged to have secretly watched having sex with David Sutton at their flat in Addlestone in March 2024 was aware that he was being filmed.
The defendant allegedly sent David Sutton messages such as “he doesn’t know I’m here”, while telling him what to do, the court previously heard.
Some discussions between the two defendants were about “daddy-play” with someone else being submissive and role-playing as a younger person, jurors heard.
Stephen Ireland is solely charged with 21 of the 38 offences, including one count of raping a child, three counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and one count of sexual assault on a child.
Stephen Ireland & David Sutton are jointly charged with 13 offences, including six counts of conspiracy to sexually assault a child, three counts of arranging the commission of a child sex offence and one count of conspiracy to kidnap a child.
David Sutton is also charged with another four offences, including three counts of making indecent photographs of children.
The trial continues.
UPDATE 14.03.25
Following an extensive investigation by Surrey Police’s Complex Abuse Unit, and four-week trial, two men have today been found guilty of multiple counts of child sex offences.
Stephen Ireland, 40, (DOB:8/3/1984) from Addlestone, was found guilty of the rape of a child under 13, three counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and the sexual assault of a child under 13, as well as:
- Conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child;
- Arranging commission of a child sex offence;
- Six counts of making indecent photographs of children;
- Four counts of distributing indecent photographs of a child;
- Possession of prohibited images of children;
- Possession of an extreme pornographic image.
Ireland and his partner, David Sutton, 27, (DOB: 10/10/1997) from Addlestone, were also found guilty of one count of voyeurism and one count of perverting the course of justice.
Sutton was found guilty of three counts of making indecent photographs of children and one count of possession of an extreme pornographic image.
However, the jury found Sutton and Ireland not guilty of the conspiracy offences with which they had also been charged, including three counts of arranging a child sexual offence, five counts of conspiracy to sexually assault a child, one count of conspiracy to kidnap a child and one count one count of conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
Both men had already pleaded guilty to a number of offences at the start of the trial. Ireland pleaded guilty to possessing 274 prohibited images of children and possessing an extreme pornographic image, while Sutton pleaded guilty to distributing a category A indecent photograph of a child, distributing three category B indecent photographs of a child and possessing 64 prohibited images of children.
Ireland was arrested in April 2024 following a report of the rape of a 12-year-old boy.
A search of a phone hidden in his flat revealed indecent images of children.
Both were arrested on 11 June 2024 for distribution and possession of indecent images of children.
On 14 August 2024, charges were authorised for 44 offences (later increased to 45), relating to Ireland and Sutton, and spanning the period between August 2022 and July 2024.
Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Debbie White, Head of Surrey Police’s Public Protection Team, said: “Stephen Ireland was a sexual predator who targeted a young boy and took advantage of his age and vulnerability for his own gratification. I would like to pay tribute to the victim in this case for their courage in coming forward and for giving evidence. I hope the guilty verdicts help them start to re-build their life.
“Both men have demonstrated an extreme sexual interest in children and the fact that the jury has found them both guilty of multiple sexual offences today means that they will no longer pose that risk.
“Both men then tried to cover up their offending by intentionally deleting material from their phones once they became aware of the police investigation and following their arrests.
“This has been an extremely difficult and complex investigation, and I would like to thank all those involved for their hard work and dedication. I hope the convictions today send a clear message to any victim of a sexual offence, that you will be listened to, you will be supported, and we will investigate such crimes thoroughly.”
Claire Gallagher, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “It is clear that both Stephen Ireland and David Sutton had a perverted and dangerous interest in children.
“Child sexual abuse is a devastating crime which can have a lifelong impact on victims. I would like to offer my deepest thanks to the victims who supported the prosecution and helped the CPS and Surrey Police bring these offenders to justice.”
Stephen Ireland and David Sutton will be sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on 30 June.
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