Stephen Cannon, the Ammanford Paedophile, with a sexual affinity to adolescent males, pursued adolescents and purchased vapes for them before engaging in inappropriate contact.
Stephen Cannon of Heol Marlais, Tir-y-Dail, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, SA18, is a registered sex offender, having been previously convicted of attempting to rape a 15-year-old kid and subsequently sexually grooming a vulnerable youngster he encountered on a football fans’ Facebook site.
A judge at Swansea Crown Court stated that a comprehensive pre-sentence investigation indicated Stephen Cannon has a significant danger of inflicting serious harm on adolescent boys, and that this risk is “nearly unmanageable in the community”. The 37-year-old suspect received an extended sentence.
The court was informed that Stephen Cannon pursued two 13-year-old boys in Ammanford, purchased vapes for them, and thereafter engaged in sexual contact over their clothing. Prosecution lawyer Ian Wright presented statements to the court detailing the detrimental effects of the offences on the youngsters, who were left frightened, anxious, and apprehensive about encountering the defendant again.
Stephen Cannon was on a sexual crimes prevention order, imposed by Ayr Sheriff Court in Scotland in February 2020, at the time of the Ammanford offence, intended to regulate his interactions with youngsters.
The order was enacted following Stephen Cannon’s conviction for grooming an 18-year-old man with learning disabilities and a functional mental age of approximately 12 or 13, whom he encountered via a Facebook football fan page. Stephen Cannon utilised a pseudonym to conceal his prior conviction for attempting to sexually assault a juvenile. He exploited the victim’s vulnerability online and subsequently kissed and groped him after enticing him to his residence in a “catfish” scenario.
Stephen Cannon, residing at Heol Marlais, Tir-y-Dail, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, had previously been convicted at trial of three charges of sexual assault and two counts of violating a sexual harm prevention order when he appeared in court for punishment.
Hannah George, representing Stephen Cannon, stated that the defendant had been incarcerated on remand for 158 days, during which he had utilised his time constructively by mentoring fellow inmates and engaging in educational courses “to improve himself for the future”.
Judge Huw Rees stated that it was evident Stephen Cannon harboured a persistent sexual interest in young adolescent males, and that unless he acknowledged this reality and undertook measures to address it, he would remain a risk. A comprehensive pre-sentence investigation indicated that the defendant presents a significant risk of severe injury to male adolescents, and that this danger is “nearly unmanageable in the community.”
Stephen Cannon received a six-year extended sentence, consisting of three years in custody followed by a three-year extended licence period. He will qualify for release after completing two-thirds of the prison portion of the sentence; however, the Parole Board will decide if he is safe for release.
Stephen Cannon will remain a registered sex offender for life, and the court noted that a 10-year sexual harm prevention order was issued by Carmarthenshire Magistrates’ Court in March, as the previous order was set to expire.
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