STEPHEN DEMPSEY FROM WORCESTER SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN BIRMINGHAM

In August 2011, Stephen Dempsey, a 32-year-old man from Worcester, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court after admitting to serious sexual offenses involving a 12-year-old girl he met online. Dempsey had initially established a friendship with the girl through Facebook, during which he claimed she was 12. However, she later disclosed she was actually 16. Despite this, the pair met in Birmingham and engaged in sexual activity, even though Dempsey was twice her age.

Judge Alistair McCreath expressed significant concern about the case, stating that Dempsey’s actions were a cause for alarm. The judge sentenced him to 27 months in prison and highlighted the dangers posed by individuals like Dempsey, emphasizing the need to protect children from paedophiles.

Dempsey, of Lear Close, Dines Green, pleaded guilty to charges including inciting a gross indecency with a child and possession of indecent images and videos of children. The judge also noted that Dempsey had viewed disturbing, “vile” images, which had been downloaded onto his computer, and he was unable to comprehend why anyone would find pleasure in such material. The court emphasized that such viewing fuels the ongoing abuse and exploitation of children.

Prosecutor Paul Whitfield explained that Dempsey’s attraction to children had begun in 2009, when he developed a friendship with a woman in Stoke who had three children. While he initially visited her and her family, he later distanced himself because he was attracted to her eight-year-old daughter.

Dempsey’s illicit activities came to light after he created a Facebook account where he sent explicit messages expressing love for the girl. When police searched his computer, they found indecent pictures, although Dempsey initially lied, claiming the computer had been borrowed by a friend.

During court proceedings, Dempsey denied having any sexual contact with the girl. However, his lawyer, Jason Aris, stated that Dempsey now accepted full responsibility for his behaviour and acknowledged he had done wrong. At the time of sentencing, Dempsey was in a committed relationship, with his partner supporting him.

He has also completed higher education courses and was eager to find employment through the government’s Get to Work programme.

Dempsey was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subject to a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from contacting females under 16 and limits his internet access indefinitely.