Pedophile Who Filmed Child Rapes Spared Jail by Judge Because He 'Wouldn’t Cope'
Steven McLone, 27, filmed child attacks on his phone
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A man with autism who sexually abused two young girls on separate occasions has been spared a sentence because he "wouldn't cope mentally in prison".
Steven McLone, 27, from Lazenby, who was described as "odd", filmed one of the girls on his phone as he attacked her.
In a separate offense, he tried to photograph a girl during the traumatic ordeal.
McLone appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, where he plead guilty to both offenses, reports Teesside Live.
Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said one of the girls he sexually assaulted was clearly "terrified" by the incident.
Mr. Walker said: "He took pictures while he tried to undress her. The victim was extremely upset and immediately reported him.
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Intimate images of the victim were discovered on his phone by police in 2016, some of which were taken at the time of the sexual assault.
In a statement, one of the victims said his actions have "had an impact on school" and admitted to hearing voices.
Michael Knowles, McLone's defense, said that upon realization of the severity of his crimes he fled to "an area of the moors" and "threatened to take his own life".
He added that it wasn't until the intervention of his mum that he desisted.
Mr. Knowles said:
"He immediately expressed remorse. He has autism, a lifelong disability that he will continue to have throughout his life. His autism is clearly linked to the case.
"There are concerns about how he would cope mentally and physically in prison.”
He added that a psychologist had said there was “no prospect of further offending”.
Judge Sean Morris told McLone: “You have always been regarded by others as odd.
“This is not an easy case to decide. But rehabilitation would be at risk if you were sent to prison.
“It would be more constructive to impose a community order.”
McLone was given a three-year community order and ordered to undertake 25 rehabilitation days.
He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and put on the sex offenders register.
(h/t The Mirror)
