STEPHEN CANNON

SEX OFFENDER STEPHEN CANNON SENTENCED FOR ASSAULTS ON YOUNG BOYS

A man with a sexual attraction to young adolescent males followed boys and bought them vapes before touching them.

Stephen Cannon is a registered sex offender having previously been convicted of trying to rape a 15-year-old boy and then sexually grooming a vulnerable teenager he'd met on a football fan's Facebook page.

A judge at Swansea Crown Court stated that Cannon poses a high risk of causing serious harm to adolescent boys and that this risk is "almost impossible to manage in the community." He was sentenced to an extended sentence of six years, consisting of three years in custody and three years extended license, and will remain a registered sex offender for life.

Cannon was found guilty of following two 13-year-old boys in Ammanford, buying vapes for them, and then sexually touching them over their clothing.

This occurred while Cannon was under a sexual offences prevention order imposed in Scotland in 2020, which was meant to control his contact with children.

The court heard that Cannon previously groomed an 18-year-old male with learning difficulties through online means, using a false name to hide his past conviction, under a 'catfish' incident.

Cannon, from Heol Marlais, Tir-y-Dail, had been convicted at trial of three counts of sexual assault and two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

His court details revealed that he spent 158 days in remand and used the time to undertake educational courses and act as a mentor to other inmates.

The judge highlighted that until Cannon accepts and deals with his long-standing sexual interest in young males, he will pose a significant risk.