STEPHEN WHELEHAN'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN DERBY AND LONG EATON: PAEDOPHILE GROOMS 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND SEXUAL ABUSE REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Derby and Long Eaton, Stephen Whelehan, aged 20, has been sentenced to six years in prison after grooming and sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. The heinous series of events unfolded over several weeks, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior facilitated through online communication and physical meetings.

Whelehan initially made contact with the young girl via MSN Chatline, a popular internet messaging service at the time. Despite knowing her age, he engaged her in conversations that quickly turned inappropriate. Court proceedings revealed that Whelehan used the platform to groom the girl, who was just 13, by encouraging her to perform sexual acts over a webcam, effectively viewing her in explicit situations.

The court heard that Whelehan’s manipulative tactics extended beyond online chats. Within days of their initial contact, the predator arranged to meet the girl in West Park, Long Eaton. Following this meeting, they went to his home, where they engaged in sexual activity. The girl, who was a virgin prior to these encounters, was later found in a distressed state, naked in Whelehan’s bed by police officers who responded after her worried parents reported her missing.

Six hours after being found, the girl was still intoxicated, having consumed alcohol, and was over one and a half times the legal drink-drive limit. Her parents’ concern and her disappearance prompted a police investigation, which uncovered the disturbing details of Whelehan’s actions. The police investigation was aided by the fact that the girl’s parents had set their computer to save chat logs, providing crucial evidence of the online grooming.

During the court hearing at Derby Crown Court, Judge John Burgess addressed the severity of Whelehan’s offenses. He emphasized the wider impact on the victim and her family, stating, “It is wider than that because her parents began to question their parenting skills and are aware of her lost innocence. You got her drunk to facilitate it. You were responsible, being much older than her and that makes these serious offences.”

Whelehan admitted to two counts of sexual activity with a girl in March. As a result, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, reflecting the gravity of his crimes. The prosecution, led by James Allen, revealed that Whelehan had also met another girl, aged 12, through the internet, indicating a pattern of predatory behavior.

Further details emerged about Whelehan’s intentions. On March 16, he sent a message suggesting marriage or engagement to his young victim, who responded with concern about her age. The following week, Whelehan visited her home while her parents were out, and they drank Malibu together. He left when her mother was due to return, but the next evening, they arranged to meet again in the park, this time with a bottle of vodka. The girl drank alcohol and did not return home that night.

Police found her at 2 a.m. the next morning, naked in Whelehan’s bed. The investigation uncovered chat logs that detailed their conversations, which had been saved by the girl’s parents. Detective Constable Annie Vernon from the Child Abuse Investigation Unit commented on the case, noting that while MSN services often delete messages, they can be configured to save them, allowing parents to monitor their children’s online activity.

In mitigation, Keith Raynor argued that Whelehan’s social immaturity and lack of social skills contributed to his behavior. He emphasized that Whelehan had not made threats but had failed in his moral and sexual duties towards the girl. The court also imposed strict restrictions on Whelehan’s movements and internet use, including bans from parks, arcades, and swimming pools frequented by children, as well as a requirement to make his computer available for police inspections.

Whelehan’s case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of parental vigilance in safeguarding children from exploitation and abuse.