Sunderland paedophile jailed after admitting almost 20 offences
A paedophile from Sunderland who sexually exploited a child and distributed indecent images – has been jailed.
A paedophile from Sunderland who sexually exploited a child and distributed indecent images – has been jailed.
In October 2024, an investigation was launched into Stephen McLean by the Force’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) after intelligence received showed that he was uploading child sexual abuse material onto the internet.
Officers visited McLeans address and a number of devices were seized as part of the investigation.
He was arrested in the same month after an indecent image was found on one of the devices.
Whilst officers were investigating, further intelligence received identified McLean sexually communicating with an undercover officer, posing as a 12-year-old child.
Further devices were seized and almost 500 indecent images were recovered, some of which were sent to him by the child he had been grooming.
The investigation found McLean had made threats to the victim-survivor, including inciting and threatening to sell images of her to other paedophiles.
Multiple offences were identified against the 25-year-old, and he was charged with 19 offences:
-Four counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
-Four counts of inciting the sexual exploitation of a child
-Two counts of arranging/facilitating the commission of sexual activity with a child
-Two counts of attempting sexual communication with a child
-Three counts of possession of indecent images of a child
-Three counts of distribute indecent images of a child
-One count of sexual communications with a child.
He also breached an Interim Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
McLean, of Cherrytree Square, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to all the offences at Newcastle Crown Court in March 2026.
He appeared at the same court yesterday where he was sentenced to nine years behind bars.
McLean will also spend five years on extended license. He will be made to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 15 years.
Speaking after the sentencing Northumbria Police’s Detective Constable David Laybourne said: “Firstly, I’d like to give praise to the victim-survivor. She has been subjected to an appalling and life-changing ordeal.
“This has not only affected her, but her family as well. I’d like to thank the victim-survivor and her family for their support during our investigation.
“No sentence can undo the trauma she has endured, but I hope today’s outcome provides some measure of reassurance that he has been held fully accountable for what he did.
“McLean was a sexual predator who prayed on a vulnerable child and exploited her. No one should ever be put in that position.
“Sex offenders may think operating online and on social media allows them to evade the law, yet this case highlights how far officers will go to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
Detective Constable Laybourne added: “"We know that children spend a lot of time online, and we would encourage parents and guardians to have conversations around their activity as better education all around can help protect our children.
“We would always encourage anyone with information about this type of offending, or anyone who thinks they have been a victim to come forward and talk to us – we’re here for you and we will support you.”
Anyone who has been the victim of any form of sexual abuse – whether recent or non-recent – can contact police using the ‘Report’ pages of the Northumbria Police website, by using the Live Chat function on the website, or by sending a direct message on social media.
For those unable to contact police this way, call 101.
Always call 999 in an emergency.