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How does a man who publicly advocates for the protection of young people end up convicted of raping a 12-year-old boy?Stephen Ireland, 42, co-founder of Pride in Surrey, was sentenced to 24 years in prison plus six years on extended licence at Guildford Crown Court in June 2025. He was convicted of raping a 12-year-old boy he met on dating app Grindr in April 2024. The child, who had been reported missing, was given methamphetamine and exposed to pornography at Ireland's flat.His flatmate David Sutton, 27, a Surrey Pride volunteer, received four and a half years for related offences. The court heard Ireland also watched live footage of Sutton having sex with a 16-year-old who didn't know he was being filmed.Judge Patricia Lees said Ireland, who served as the organization's self-appointed safeguarding lead, exploited his awareness of young people's vulnerabilities. Whistleblowers who tried to raise concerns were reportedly ignored or silenced.