PENWORTHAM MAN STEFAN BULL SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN PRESTON

In September 2021, Stefan Bull, a 27-year-old resident of Gaskell Road in Penwortham, was handed a significant prison sentence after being convicted of multiple serious offences related to the exploitation of underage girls through online platforms. The case, which garnered considerable attention, highlights the disturbing extent of online abuse and the efforts of law enforcement to combat such crimes.

According to court records, the investigation was initiated after West Yorkshire Police received a report in October 2019 concerning two videos depicting inappropriate and lewd behaviour involving minors. These videos were believed to have been shared via the popular online chat website Omegle, which is known for its anonymous and unmoderated environment. Law enforcement officials acted swiftly, conducting detailed inquiries into the matter.

Through their investigation, officers traced the internet activity associated with the videos back to Stefan Bull’s former residence in Preston. A warrant was executed at his home in January 2020, during which police seized multiple electronic devices for examination. The analysis of Bull’s devices revealed a disturbing collection of over 200 videos, with timestamps indicating that the footage was recorded between December 2011 and December 2012. These videos depicted a pattern of abuse, with Bull encouraging young girls to perform sexual acts on camera.

Further investigation uncovered that Bull had created a 'points system' to incentivize the victims to perform increasingly sexualised acts. The victims, all believed to be under the age of 18, were manipulated into participating in these acts, with Bull recording the chats and videos for his own gratification. The videos showed him playing games with the victims, rewarding them with points for each sexual act performed, which he then documented through screen recordings.

Legal proceedings revealed that Bull was responsible for multiple offences, including causing or inciting girls aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity involving penetration. He faced a total of 12 counts related to these offences. Additionally, he was charged with three counts of making indecent images, one count of possessing an indecent image of a child, and two counts of causing or inciting sexual activity without penetration. There was also a charge related to an offender over 18 causing a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity without penetration.

Stefan Bull pleaded guilty to all charges, and on Thursday, September 23, he was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to three years and four months in prison. The court also ordered that he be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. To prevent further abuse, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed, restricting his access to the internet and contact with children upon his release from prison. This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to protect vulnerable minors from online predators and to hold offenders accountable for their heinous actions.