STEPHEN LEE

MAN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED SCHOOLBOY DURING ‘GOAL CELEBRATION’ IN GAME OF STREET FOOTBALL

A man committed a sexual assault on a schoolboy during a 'goal celebration' at a street football game near a train station.

Stephen Lee, aged 35, participated in the game after noticing the boy and his friend playing with a ball close to a Metro station in Sunderland last November.

During the match, Newcastle Crown Court was told that Lee seized the opportunity to grab the young player and said, 'come with me up here,' while engaging in sexual assault.

The boy's friend intervened to protect him, and both children fled the scene.

The court heard that the incident, which left the boy 'very frightened,' was recorded on CCTV footage.

Lee was later identified, traced, and apprehended by the authorities.

In police questioning, Lee claimed to have an alcohol problem and stated he could not recall his actions that day.

Lee, who resides on Bambro Street in Hendon, Sunderland, has prior convictions involving dishonesty and violence.

He pleaded guilty to sexual assault on a minor as well as breaching bail conditions.

The judge sentenced Lee to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, with mandatory alcohol treatment and participation in sex offender group therapy.

Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.