Current timestamp: 08/07/2025 22:15:00
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal Activity[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-location' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Leave this site

Cookies

We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.

You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.

Accept cookies Reject cookies Customise cookies

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

Go to Hampshire Constabulary homepage

  • Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud
    • Spiking
    • Stalking or harassment
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
    • Hate crime
  • Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
  • Back to Apply or register

    • Careers and volunteering
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Compensation for something the police have done
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
    • Request an update
  • Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Feedback about the website
    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
  • Your area
  1. ...
  2. News

Man, 75, sentenced to 18 and a half years in prison for non-recent child sex offences in Portsmouth and Havant

Main article content

News
Published: 17:24 04/02/2022

A 75-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 and a half years in prison for a number of non-recent child sex offences spanning several years in Portsmouth and Havant.  

 

Stephen McDermott, of Frosthole Close, Fareham, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court today (Friday 4 February) having previously pleaded guilty to the following offences:

 

  • Eight counts of indecent assault on a male
  • Two counts of assault by penetration
  • Two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13
  • One count of indecency with a child
  • One count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity

 

The court heard how McDermott abused three boys on a number of occasions between 1983 and 2005.

 

The abuse came to the attention of police when one of the victims reported it in May 2020. Two further victims came forward shortly afterwards.

 

An investigation was launched and McDermott was arrested and later charged by officers. He pleaded guilty to the offences at a court appearance on January 10th this year.

 

He has now been sentenced to 18 and a half years in prison and given a restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order, which prohibits him from making any contact with children under 16 and using electronic devices to contact children.

 

 

Detective Constable Hannah Owen of Hampshire Constabulary’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, who led the investigation, said: “Firstly, I would like to commend the men involved in this case for their courage and bravery in telling us what happened to them when they were young.

 

“We know how hard it is to come forward and report these offences, whether they have taken place recently or in the past.

 

“We are committed to getting justice for victims and have specially trained officers to support them through the process.

 

“We hope that this sentence today helps the victims in this case begin to move forward with their lives and that it shows how seriously we take reports of this nature. We will always investigate thoroughly and treat such reports with the utmost seriousness, no matter when they occurred.

 

“We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to contact police on 101 where you can speak to someone in confidence.”

 

As a survivor of sexual abuse, you’re entitled to support whether you report the crime or not. You can access different types of support depending on how you’re feeling and what you decide to do next.

 

You can visit https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/support-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/ to see the support on offer.

 

Alternatively, anyone who has experienced abuse in childhood or is concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline confidentially on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected]. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111.

Share

Footer navigation

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

  • Contact us
  • News
  • Press
  • About us
  • Procurement
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the police
  • Police & Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.