Founder of Surrey Pride group accused of raping 12 year old boy
The 40 year old is facing 35 child sex offence charges and denies all of them
Last updated 13th Feb 2025
The founder of an LGBTQ+ group accused of multiple child sex offences allegedly had sexual intercourse and smoked a bong with a 12-year-old boy at his flat, a trial has heard.
Stephen Ireland, 40, who co-founded Pride in Surrey in 2018, and David Sutton, 27, a volunteer with the organisation, are accused of "targeting children for their sexual proclivities", Guildford Crown Court was told.
They are charged with a total of 40 counts between them.
One boy, aged 12, met Ireland at the flat he shared with Sutton in Addlestone on April 19 2024, after messaging on dating app Grindr, jurors were told on Wednesday.
In messages between them before they met, Ireland allegedly suggested that they kiss and watch pornography, the court heard.
The boy alleged to police that they had sex in the flat, smoked a bong and that pornography was played on a laptop, jurors heard.
In a Telegram chat after the alleged sexual encounter, Ireland allegedly sent the child messages such as "my secret underage boy" and described his age as "naughty and kinky", the court heard.
Ireland also said "we just have to keep it a secret", prosecutor Isabel Delamere said.
On the same day, Ireland asked the boy if he would have a threesome and sent the child pictures of himself and Sutton, the court heard.
Jurors heard that Ireland allegedly sent a picture of the boy to Sutton and that they exchanged messages about him.
Ireland and Sutton are jointly charged with 15 offences relating to a number of children, including six counts of conspiracy to sexually assault a child, one count of conspiracy to kidnap a child and four counts of arranging the commission of a child sex offence.
Jurors heard that Ireland is charged with a further 20 counts, including raping a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
Sutton is also charged with another five offences, including of making indecent photographs of children.
All the alleged offences are said to have occurred between August 2022 and July 2024, Surrey Police said.
Ms Delamere said the children were mostly, but not exclusively, male.
Jurors heard that the defendants deny all charges against them and will argue that the allegations are ill-founded and untrue.
The trial continues.