Publication date:
A 21-year-old man has today been sentenced to a 23-year custodial sentence at Craigavon Crown Court for 77 offences relating to the sexual abuse of children including rape, attempted rape, causing or inciting a child between 13 and 16 to engage in sexual activity, blackmail and possessing and distributing indecent images.
He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for 10 years upon release.
Stephen-Lee McIlvenny offended between the ages of 16 and 19, abusing three young boys younger than him.
Head of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) Serious Crime Unit Catherine Kierans, who prosecuted the case, said: “McIlvenny is a callous paedophile who manipulated boys several years younger than him to inflict horrific sexual abuse on them.
“I want to commend the three victims in this case for their immense courage in speaking out about the cruel and depraved abuse they suffered, and going through the criminal justice process. Their actions have led to this defendant being held accountable for his crimes, which have caused such distress and trauma to his brave victims.
“McIlvenny initially befriended his victims, and then manipulated and coerced them into a litany of sexual abuse. In another sickening feature of the case, he filmed himself abusing the boys. He used the threat of sharing images of his victims to blackmail and threaten them into further sexual acts.
“We worked closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland who carried out a thorough investigation to build and present the strongest possible case in court. This ultimately led to his guilty pleas and the outcome today.
“As this case shows, we work closely with police to pursue and prosecute abusers, whatever methods they use, either offline, online or both, and wherever they operate. We will pursue offenders and bring cases to court when the Test for Prosecution is met.
“McIlvenny is a young man and may not fit the general perception of what a paedophile is. But there is no typical abuser, and anyone of any gender can be a victim or perpetrator of sexual abuse. Boys and men can be victims too. I want to assure all victims that the team in the PPS Serious Crime Unit take these cases extremely seriously and handle them with sensitivity and care.
“To any young person who thinks they may be suffering abuse, it is never your fault. The shame belongs to the abuser and never the victim. There are people who can help. Please speak to a trusted adult.
“To all those who care for children and young people, be vigilant of the dangers posed by predators and encourage open conversations about how to stay safe.
“If you are concerned about any activity, whether online or physical, towards a child, or a vulnerable adult, please report it to police.”
Notes to editors:
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