STEPHEN MOTRONI FROM KILWINNING AND STOCKPORT CAUGHT IN SCANDAL INVOLVING CHILD IN ITALY

In a case that has spanned several decades and crossed international borders, Stephen Motroni, a priest with ties to Kilwinning and Stockport, has been convicted of serious sexual misconduct involving a young boy in Italy. The incident, which took place between April 12, 1992, and April 11, 2001, involved the defendant inducing a child, then aged between five and thirteen, to remove his clothing during a game of strip poker. The details of the case emerged after a lengthy legal process that saw initial setbacks due to jurisdictional issues but ultimately resulted in a conviction.

Motroni, aged 64 at the time of sentencing, was previously associated with Smithstone House in Kilwinning and was residing in Stockport. The case was brought back to court after prosecutors successfully challenged a previous decision that had dismissed the charges on jurisdictional grounds. The Crown Office argued that the Scottish courts retained jurisdiction over the offences, despite their occurrence in Italy, under the provisions of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995. This legal maneuvering allowed the case to proceed and led to Motroni’s eventual conviction.

During the sentencing hearing, Sheriff Michael Hanlon addressed Motroni directly, emphasizing the gravity of the offences. The sheriff stated, “You were convicted of lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices towards the complainer while playing strip poker. The evidence from the complainer made it clear that this has had a lasting effect on them. I thank them for giving evidence under the circumstances.” The sheriff further condemned the breach of trust involved, noting that the defendant exploited his position within the community for personal gratification.

Although the case was initially dismissed in 2020 due to jurisdictional issues, the appeal by the Crown led to a retrial. In March of the following year, Motroni was found guilty of the amended charge, while a second charge was dismissed. The court heard that the offences involved inducing the young boy to remove his clothing over a period of nearly a decade, highlighting the prolonged nature of the abuse.

As part of his sentence, Sheriff Hanlon ordered a community payback order, which includes 120 hours of unpaid work and a three-year period of supervision. Additionally, Motroni is required to register as a sex offender with the police for three years and participate in the “Moving Forward, Making Changes” programme, aimed at rehabilitation and preventing future offences.

Details of Motroni’s background reveal a long history of religious and academic pursuits. He was educated at Saint Peter’s Primary School in Ardrossan, Saint Michael’s Academy in Kilwinning, and further studies at the Sacred Heart Fathers’ Noviciate College in Gateshead, Ushaw College in Durham, and Durham University. Ordained as a priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart in 1983 at the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea in Saltcoats, he served in Dublin until 1985, then in Cheshire until 1989, and later in Rome for further studies until 1991. After a brief return to Gateshead, he moved to Smithstone House in Kilwinning in 1992, where he remained for three years. His career also included work in England and Dublin before returning to Kilwinning in 2003, where he continued his religious duties and served within the Diocese.

Despite his longstanding religious career, the allegations and subsequent conviction have cast a shadow over his reputation, highlighting the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and the ongoing efforts of the justice system to address historic abuse cases.