The founder of an LGBTQ+ Pride organisation in England, Stephen Ireland, has been charged with multiple child sexual abuse offences, including child rape and creating indecent images of children. Ireland, 40, who established Pride in Surrey, and a former volunteer, David Sutton, 26, were arrested by Surrey Police this week for allegedly committing a series of child sex crimes.
The two men face 15 joint charges, including conspiracy to sexually assault a child, conspiracy to kidnap, and arranging the commission of a child sex offence. Ireland faces an additional 22 charges, such as raping a child under 13 and distributing indecent images, while Sutton is charged with seven additional offences, including possession of prohibited images.
The alleged crimes took place between August 2022 and July 2024. Pride in Surrey, a non-profit organisation promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion, immediately suspended both individuals upon learning of the allegations on June 12th and has since removed them entirely.
In a statement, Pride in Surrey expressed horror at the charges, pledging full cooperation with the police to ensure justice is served, and extended support to the victims and their families during this difficult time.
