‘Brutal child predator’ sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexually abusing boys
A 21-year-old man described by police as a “brutal child predator” is to serve 23 years in prison after being convicted of rape, sexual abuse, blackmail, having indecent images and assault involving three teenage boys.
Stephen-Lee McIlvenny (pictured), originally from west Belfast, with an address given as Hydebank Young Offenders Centre, pleaded guilty to 77 counts in November.
The sentencing hearing at Craigavon Crown Court on Friday heard the counts covered sexual offending, blackmail and intimidation, possession and distribution of indecent images and grievous bodily harm and common assault.
It also heard the three victims all suffer from PTSD. The mother of one of them described a “profound” impact on her son in a statement.
McIlvenny wore a dark-coloured suit as he sat in the dock, often with his head bowed down, during the hour-long hearing.
The court heard he had been 16 years old at the start of the offending which went on until he was 19.
During the hearing, the court heard McIlvenny forced his victims to engage in sexual acts and be filmed doing so by threatening to publish images he already had of them online.
More than 1,000 images and videos, including of oral and anal rape, were discovered of the victims.
The court heard that some of these videos were posted online, including to Snapchat as well as the video streaming website Pornhub.
It heard McIlvenny set up an account on Pornhub on March 23 2022, and uploaded seven videos between March and September 2022, which were viewed more than 30,000 times and earned a commission of 19.94 dollars.
Judge Donna McColgan said McIlvenny took advantage of the youth and vulnerability of his victims.
“The sexual offences were committed by enticing each of the three victims into the defendant’s lair of depravation by a combination of lies, intimidation, bribery, coercion and exploitation,” she said.
“In essence the defendant took full advantage of the youth and vulnerabilities of each of these three boys to achieve his own perverse goals.
“They have each been affected by the abuse perpetrated on them significantly.”
McIlvenny is set to spend 23 years in prison after being sentenced to concurrent terms for the 77 counts.
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.
In a statement following the sentencing a mother of one of the victims said the “sick crimes” have had a “profound” effect on her son.
“The trauma he has experienced has resulted in difficulty not just forming new relationships but has also impacted current relationships. He understandably finds it hard to trust people now,” she said.
“Not only was the abuse my son suffered of a sexual nature, he was also beaten, leaving him with a bleed on the brain and if members of the public hadn’t have stepped in I dread to think what would have happened. This was all to keep him quiet about the sexual abuse, terrify him into silence.
“There is still very much a stigma around male victims of sexual crimes that has made him feel like he has to carry shame. This has led to severe depression and anxiety.”
She also said the sentencing has given them “some form of closure”, and urged any other victims to speak up.
“I would like to spread awareness that this happens to boys also and that they are more reluctant to speak out. More societal support is needed for young boys who have suffered the way my son has,” she said.
“I advise other parents to trust your gut always, it serves as an internal warning system. We noticed that his personality was different, he was becoming aggressive and acting out of character. I wish I had acted on those warning signs.
“If you are a young boy who is being targeted and abused don’t be afraid to speak up, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Don’t keep the secrets of your sick and twisted abuser, it will be the ruination of you.”
Speaking outside court, Detective Inspector Nikki Deehan welcomed the sentencing.
She described McIlvenny as a “child predator who brutally sexually exploited his young victims and inflicted long lasting trauma”.
“People have an image of a paedophile in their minds but the digital world has warped this and parents need to be aware that perpetrators are getting younger, more tech savvy and extremely manipulative,” she said.
“I want to thank the victims in this case for coming forward and bringing this predator before the courts to answer for his heinous crimes.”
She also urged any other male victims suffering in silence to report to police.
“You will be believed and we will support you in a sensitive manner,” she said.
“We cannot let child predators operate under the surface of society any more. McIlvenny’s offending was uncovered and taken extremely seriously by our criminal justice system. Let that serve as a warning.”
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