LEE STRIDE IN CHELSEA AREA SPARED JAIL AFTER PAEDOPHILE CLAIM AND CONFRONTATION

A man with a history of inappropriate sexual interest claimed he attempted to meet a '14-year-old boy' for sex while mourning the loss of his Chelsea football star stepfather. Lee Stride, whose stepfather was Chelsea defender David Stride, was given a suspended sentence after he arranged to meet someone he believed was a teenage boy he had been chatting with on Grindr.

When Stride arrived at the designated meeting spot, he was confronted by paedophile hunters from the group TRAP. Southampton Crown Court heard that Stride, a supermarket worker, had initiated communication on Grindr. Prosecutor James Kellam stated, "After the 'boy' said he was 14, Stride continued to talk to him and sent intimate pictures of himself."

Mr. Kellam explained, "You will be familiar with cases where self-appointed guardians of society—so they see it—set up profiles on dating websites. The defendant fell into conversation with a man on Grindr who claimed to be 14. Despite knowing that, the defendant continued to communicate and sent pictures, which he admits include his genitals."

He added it was clear the exchange ended with an agreement to meet for sex. The court was told that when Stride arrived at the meeting point, he was challenged by two men who informed him that police were on their way. A video of the confrontation was shared online and viewed over 800,000 times.

Stride, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. Defence lawyer Mark Florida-James described the case as 'unusual' and 'sad', noting that Stride was grieving the recent death of his stepfather, who had suffered a heart attack.

David Stride had made 35 appearances for Chelsea before playing for various teams in the North American Soccer League. Mr. Florida-James said, "[Stride] has gone from being a respected member of the community to someone who will hang his head in shame for a long time to come."

Sentencing was delivered by Judge Gary Burrell QC, who imposed a 12-month jail sentence suspended for two years. The judge highlighted the support of Stride's wife as a significant factor in sparing him immediate custody. "You have the support of your family," he said, noting his wife's statement: "I still love my husband and want to support him through the difficult time he is going through, including working on our marriage."

Although there were no actual victims involved, the judge emphasized that Stride was unaware of that reality and believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old boy. The judge criticized him for sending photos, calling it a 'particularly stupid' mistake.

Stride was also ordered to register as a sex offender and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years.