WIGAN PAEDOPHILE STEVEN FLYNN SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR GROOMING CHILDREN ONLINE
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Wigan, Steven Flynn, a 28-year-old man from Albion Drive, Aspull, was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the grooming and exploitation of young boys he met through online video gaming platforms.The proceedings took place at Bolton Crown Court, where Flynn pleaded guilty to multiple serious charges, including three counts of making indecent images, three counts of distributing such images, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, inciting a boy to engage in sexual acts, attempting to arrange sexual encounters with a minor, and possession of a bladed article.
The court heard that Flynn’s actions spanned over a period of time and involved multiple victims, highlighting the severity and premeditation of his offenses.
The case first came to light on February 8, 2018, when Flynn initiated contact with a 10-year-old boy he had played against in an online Xbox One game titled ‘Tom Clancy’s The Division’.
Prosecutor Jonathan Savage detailed how Flynn falsely claimed to be a 20-year-old with a boyfriend, attempting to establish a relationship with the young boy.
Flynn then persuaded the child to download the messaging app Kik, where the conversation quickly turned inappropriate and intimate.
Flynn sent the boy a photograph of himself in his underwear and asked the child to do the same.
The boy’s father discovered the inappropriate messages on his son’s phone and promptly contacted the police.
During police interviews, Flynn admitted to possessing and sharing indecent images, as well as contacting the young boy and encouraging him to masturbate.
These admissions underscored the malicious intent behind his actions.
Further investigations revealed that on May 18, 2018, authorities were alerted to Flynn’s contact with what appeared to be a father and his young son, with Flynn attempting to arrange a sexual encounter with the child.
However, it remains unclear whether this second child was real or a fabricated target.
When officers arrested Flynn, they also discovered a blade disguised as a credit card, which Flynn claimed was for self-protection when walking home at night.
In addition to the Wigan case, Greater Manchester Police were informed of an ongoing investigation by West Yorkshire Police involving an 11-year-old boy.
It was revealed that Flynn had contacted this boy in February 2018 via Xbox One, where he falsely claimed to be 15 years old.
Flynn then persuaded the boy to download Kik and sent disturbing messages, including requests to see the boy’s “beautiful smile and body just in your underwear.” Flynn also sent the boy photographs of himself in underwear and, during a video call, the child saw Flynn watching a pornographic film and performing a sexual act.
Analysis of Flynn’s electronic devices uncovered a disturbing collection of approximately 130 images classified as the most serious category (A), along with nearly 1,000 other vile images.
It was also found that Flynn had distributed child sexual abuse images to other offenders, further compounding the gravity of his crimes.
Judge Nuttall sentenced Flynn to six years in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of his offenses and the multiple victims involved.
The court also imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and mandated that Flynn register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.
