UK LGBTQ Pride founder Stephen Ireland arrested for child sex crimes

Stephen Ireland, the 40-year-old founder and former director of Pride in Surrey, has been charged with multiple counts of child sexual abuse. 

Alongside Ireland, David Sutton, 26, a former volunteer with the organisation, was also arrested. Both men, who are from Addlestone, were taken into custody on Wednesday and have been remanded in custody. They are due to appear before magistrates in Staines on Thursday.

The charges against Ireland and Sutton are serious, including six counts of conspiracy to sexually assault a child, conspiracy to kidnap a child, voyeurism, and arranging the commission of a child sex offence. 

Additionally, Ireland faces a further 22 charges, including the rape of a child under 13, sexual assault, making indecent photographs of children, and possession of extreme pornographic images. Sutton is also charged with seven additional offences, including making and distributing indecent photographs of children.

These alleged offences are said to have occurred between August 2022 and last month. Surrey Police have confirmed that their investigation is ongoing.

A spokesperson for Pride in Surrey stated, "On 12 June, Pride in Surrey were informed by Surrey Police of an ongoing investigation surrounding two volunteers. Both volunteers were immediately suspended from the organisation." 

The spokesperson added that the organisation only became aware of the charges through a social media post on 15 August and has pledged to "fully co-operate" with the police investigation.