ROCHDALE CHILD SEX OFFENDER STEPHEN SLOTWINER EXPOSED AFTER AMATEUR FOOTBALL REFEREE'S SHAMEFUL PAST
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Rochdale Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Stephen Slotwiner, a once-respected amateur football referee from Rochdale, has been convicted of heinous child sexual offenses committed decades ago. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse that spanned the 1970s and 1980s, involving two young girls who suffered at his hands.
Slotwiner, who had built a reputation officiating at matches for prominent clubs such as Manchester City and Manchester United Academy teams, used his position of authority to exploit vulnerable victims. His actions included repeated molestation, with one of the victims being subjected to horrifying demands, including watching pornography and threats of violence. Court documents detailed how he told one girl she would be thrown from a building if she did not comply with his sickening requests.
His life took a different turn in the 1980s when he became a coach at Bury Amateurs, leading the team to top league positions for two consecutive seasons. Despite his involvement in football, his dark past remained hidden until recent revelations surfaced during a Manchester Crown Court case. The court heard that even after his conviction, Slotwiner attempted to suppress his identity by applying for a court order that would prevent his name from being published. However, this effort was ultimately thwarted when Judge Martin Steiger QC lifted the ban following an appeal from the Manchester Evening News.
The judge emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that Slotwiner’s name “can and should be published,” underscoring the principle that justice must be open, especially in serious cases involving abuse. The court was informed that Slotwiner, now 66 and residing at Leaches Farm in Rochdale, had also made one of his victims watch pornography and had threatened her with violence if she did not submit to his demands.
Despite his criminal history, Slotwiner continued to be involved in football activities until recently. He officiated Sunday morning matches at Bury Football Club’s Academy, overseeing games for children aged nine and above. His officiating credentials also extended to matches at Manchester City and Manchester United academies, as well as Bury FC ladies games involving young girls as young as eight. Additionally, he had coached in the United States and participated in football competitions in Israel.
It is important to note that neither of the victims, who continue to suffer the emotional and psychological scars of the abuse, had any connection to football. Slotwiner pleaded guilty to nine counts of indecent assault, and as part of his sentencing, the court imposed a ban on him working with children, including refereeing football matches. The prosecution, led by Karen Brookes, highlighted how one victim confronted Slotwiner when she suspected he was about to molest a third child, demonstrating her courage in the face of danger.
During the defense, Jane Greenhalgh acknowledged Slotwiner’s remorse, stating, “He accepts he has acted in a despicable way. He has been unsure over many years as to why he would have done these things.” The court heard that Slotwiner himself described his behavior as having “crossed the line of decency.”
Judge Steiger, delivering the sentence, expressed the gravity of the offense, noting, “You might bear in mind, as I do, the appalling effects that your conduct has had. I do not suggest, for one second, you had any idea at the time just how serious it would be in their later lives.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of abuse and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from predators hiding behind respectable facades.
Slotwiner, who had built a reputation officiating at matches for prominent clubs such as Manchester City and Manchester United Academy teams, used his position of authority to exploit vulnerable victims. His actions included repeated molestation, with one of the victims being subjected to horrifying demands, including watching pornography and threats of violence. Court documents detailed how he told one girl she would be thrown from a building if she did not comply with his sickening requests.
His life took a different turn in the 1980s when he became a coach at Bury Amateurs, leading the team to top league positions for two consecutive seasons. Despite his involvement in football, his dark past remained hidden until recent revelations surfaced during a Manchester Crown Court case. The court heard that even after his conviction, Slotwiner attempted to suppress his identity by applying for a court order that would prevent his name from being published. However, this effort was ultimately thwarted when Judge Martin Steiger QC lifted the ban following an appeal from the Manchester Evening News.
The judge emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that Slotwiner’s name “can and should be published,” underscoring the principle that justice must be open, especially in serious cases involving abuse. The court was informed that Slotwiner, now 66 and residing at Leaches Farm in Rochdale, had also made one of his victims watch pornography and had threatened her with violence if she did not submit to his demands.
Despite his criminal history, Slotwiner continued to be involved in football activities until recently. He officiated Sunday morning matches at Bury Football Club’s Academy, overseeing games for children aged nine and above. His officiating credentials also extended to matches at Manchester City and Manchester United academies, as well as Bury FC ladies games involving young girls as young as eight. Additionally, he had coached in the United States and participated in football competitions in Israel.
It is important to note that neither of the victims, who continue to suffer the emotional and psychological scars of the abuse, had any connection to football. Slotwiner pleaded guilty to nine counts of indecent assault, and as part of his sentencing, the court imposed a ban on him working with children, including refereeing football matches. The prosecution, led by Karen Brookes, highlighted how one victim confronted Slotwiner when she suspected he was about to molest a third child, demonstrating her courage in the face of danger.
During the defense, Jane Greenhalgh acknowledged Slotwiner’s remorse, stating, “He accepts he has acted in a despicable way. He has been unsure over many years as to why he would have done these things.” The court heard that Slotwiner himself described his behavior as having “crossed the line of decency.”
Judge Steiger, delivering the sentence, expressed the gravity of the offense, noting, “You might bear in mind, as I do, the appalling effects that your conduct has had. I do not suggest, for one second, you had any idea at the time just how serious it would be in their later lives.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of abuse and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from predators hiding behind respectable facades.