Stephen Bateson Hoghton Paedophile
Stephen Bateson Hoghton Paedophile

Stephen Bateson, the Hoghton Paedophile, tried to groom a 13-year-old girl was caught out when it emerged the ‘teenager’ was an undercover police officer.

When officers seized Stephen Bateson’s computer, they discovered dozens of indecent images of children and pornography involving a snake.

Stephen Bateson, 30, of Bournesfield, Hoghton, was in a chatroom for children when he asked the officer – posing as a girl called Olivia – to send him indecent images of herself.

He also suggested meeting in London and suggested sexual activity he would like to engage in with her.

On May 31 2017, officers executed a search warrant at Stephen Bateson’s home after receiving a tip off from the Metropolitan Police – who were operating undercover in the chatroom.

His iPad and HTC phone were taken for analysis and dozens of banned images were found on the devices.

Stephen Bateson pleaded guilty to attempting to contact a child under 16 for the purpose of sexual activity, making three category C indecent images, possession of 77 prohibited images of a child, possession of extreme pornography involving a snake, making six category A images (the most serious), making six category C images and possessing 66 prohibited images of a child.

Stephen Bateson was given a 12 month sentence suspended for two years with a requirement to attend a sex offenders treatment program.

He was also given a three eight month sentences and two two-month sentences to run concurrently to the 12 months.

The Judge also ordered Stephen Bateson to carry out 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement and made a sexual harm prevention order.


If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.