PRIDE SURREY: CO FOUNDER-SEX CONVICTION OF A CHILD

PRIDE SURREY :

Stephen Ireland, 42, and

David Sutton, 27, co-founders of Pride in Surrey, were convicted of heinous sexual offenses against children, reflecting their utterly disgusting behavior.

Ireland was sentenced to 24 years in prison with six years on extended license for raping a 12-year-old boy he met on Grindr, alongside charges of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault, and making indecent images of children.

Sutton received four-and-a-half years for voyeurism and possessing indecent images, complicit in the abuse. Their actions were predatory, exploiting vulnerable youth through their community roles, as Judge Patricia Lees highlighted Ireland’s awareness of youth vulnerabilities.

The footage allegedly shows Ireland removing Christians from a Pride event, suggesting a pattern of exclusionary behaviour.

Their vile crimes involve a disturbing breach of trust and highlights their disregard for the children they abused.

This case exposes the perverse nature of their actions, rooted in exploitation and a facade of advocacy.

Gay Pride and Community Reflection:

The convictions of Ireland and Sutton have cast a shadow over Pride in Surrey, prompting a reevaluation of safeguarding within the LGBTQ+ community.

While Pride events celebrate diversity and inclusion, these crimes underscore the need for robust protections against abuse, ensuring that community initiatives remain safe spaces for all.

Clare Hocking Crime Reporter.