STEPHEN SWEETING SHOCKS GOOLE WITH CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND VILE VIDEOS

In June 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving Stephen Sweeting, a 67-year-old resident of Goole, who was caught engaging in highly inappropriate and illegal online activity targeting minors. The incident came to light after Sweeting sent a repulsive video depicting a child being sexually assaulted to an undercover police officer, who had posed as a 13-year-old girl named Lilly.

Sweeting, who had been living a reclusive lifestyle at the time, used a computer he purchased with his pension funds to communicate with what he believed were young teenagers in a sexually explicit manner. His online interactions included sending explicit questions and images, which culminated in him transmitting a sickening video of child abuse, accompanied by the caption, 'do you like dirty vids?'.

The police investigation was initiated after the undercover officer, operating under the guise of Lilly, baited Sweeting into revealing his intentions. Following this, authorities executed a raid on Sweeting’s property in Goole. During the search, law enforcement officials confiscated various items, including his computer. An examination of the seized devices uncovered a total of 12 videos, along with chat logs that documented Sweeting’s conversations with the undercover officer.

Historical records revealed that Sweeting had a long history of sexual offences involving minors. In the 1970s, he was subjected to two Borstal training programs aimed at reforming juvenile offenders. Between 1971 and 1979, he received two suspended sentences and a 10-month prison term for engaging in sexual activities with a child. Despite these past convictions, Sweeting managed to stay out of trouble for over four decades, with the exception of a shoplifting offence in the 1980s.

His recent criminal activities were linked to his discovery of the internet approximately three years prior, after which he purchased a computer and began engaging in illegal online conduct. Sweeting, of Dempster Avenue, Old Goole, pleaded guilty to three charges: possession of indecent images and sharing indecent videos of children with an underage individual.

At Hull Crown Court, Judge Simon Jack sentenced Sweeting to two years in prison, suspended for two years. The judge emphasized the importance of good behavior during this period, stating, 'You have to stay out of trouble for the next two years, or you will serve this sentence in prison.' Additionally, Sweeting was ordered to complete 31 rehabilitation sessions and to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, underscoring the seriousness of his offences and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.