SAMUEL JOHN STEVENSON FROM NEWTOWNABBEY AND JORDANSTOWN MOVES NEAR PRIMARY SCHOOL IN CO ANTRIM

In a disturbing development, Samuel John Stevenson, a man with a long history of sexual offenses against young girls, has recently relocated to a new residence in Jordanstown, County Antrim, an area known for its leafy neighborhoods and proximity to local schools. Stevenson, who previously served time for a series of heinous crimes, now resides just a short distance from Whiteabbey Primary School and a children’s play park, raising serious concerns among local residents and authorities alike.

Stevenson’s criminal history is extensive and deeply troubling. He was convicted in November 2005 of a 15-year spree of sexual abuse involving girls as young as four. During that trial, he admitted to 47 charges, including nine counts of indecent assault and six counts of inciting a child to commit gross indecency. His offenses also included possessing over 500 images of child internet pornography, creating indecent photographs, and showing these images to children. As a result, Stevenson, then aged 56, was sentenced to seven years in prison and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

Despite the severity of his crimes, Stevenson was released early from Magilligan Prison after serving only three and a half years of his sentence, a decision that has sparked outrage among victims’ families and advocacy groups. His early release came after serving less than half of his original sentence, which has led to calls for reform in sentencing laws for sex offenders.

His move to Jordanstown has caused alarm, especially given the close proximity to a primary school and a children’s park, areas where children frequently play and learn. Local residents have expressed their concern over the potential risk posed by Stevenson’s presence in the community, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and community safety.

Further details of Stevenson’s criminal activities reveal a pattern of predatory behavior spanning over a decade. He admitted to approaching young girls, some as young as four, in various locations including north Belfast, Ballymena, and Carrickfergus. His modus operandi often involved showing them indecent photographs downloaded from the internet and offering them money or sweets to facilitate his abuse. One particularly disturbing account involved him approaching two girls aged eight or nine in the Ballyduff area approximately 10 to 15 years ago, attempting to coerce them into stripping by offering money. One girl complied, while the other fled.

Stevenson’s employment history includes a long tenure as an assistant manager at the Antrim Forum leisure centre, where he worked for 20 years. However, he has consistently denied any abuse occurring within the premises, claiming, “It doesn’t work that way.”

Following his arrest on May 8 of the previous year, Stevenson was finally apprehended after a woman observed his car and saw two young girls running away from it, leading her to note the vehicle registration. His subsequent confession to police confirmed his guilt, detailing how he would approach young girls, show them indecent images, and exploit their innocence for his own gratification.

In response to Stevenson’s release and subsequent move, advocacy groups such as the Rape Crisis Centre have called for harsher sentencing laws. Pearl Gray, representing the organization, stated, “This man has destroyed the lives of many families not only in Belfast but across Northern Ireland. The public needs to be aware, and they should demand that MPs change the law to extend the length of jail time for offenders like him.” The community remains on high alert, wary of the potential dangers posed by Stevenson’s presence in their neighborhood.