Ex-Premier League assistant referee jailed for 9 years for raping a man in 2009

Steven Wilson, a former Premier League assistant referee, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault of a man in 2009. The 55-year-old, who previously officiated under the name Stephen Dorr, was convicted at Worcester Crown Court for a crime he managed to evade for over a decade.The victim, whose identity is protected, was approached by Wilson at a Worcester taxi rank. Wilson claimed he was heading to a party with “lots of girls” and invited the man to join him at his flat. Once inside, Wilson locked the door, played pornographic videos, and forced the man into non-consensual acts, including performing a oral sex and ultimately committing rape.The ordeal lasted three to four hours. According to Detective Constable Chris Hawkes of West Mercia Police:“Wilson’s victim was incredibly scared during his time trapped in his flat and feared for his safety as he did not know Wilson, or what he was capable of. His awful ordeal lasted for three or four hours as it was light outside when Wilson eventually allowed him to leave the flat.”Wilson managed to avoid prosecution until 2021, when the victim recognized him in a news article that detailed Wilson’s previous sexual offences involving minors. The victim reported him to police, which reopened the investigation and led to Wilson’s eventual conviction.The judge at Worcester Crown Court described Wilson as "cunning and manipulative".Wilson’s criminal behaviour began surfacing publicly in 2009, the same year the assault occurred. He was found to have downloaded indecent images and communicated with underage boys. He was convicted in 2011 and served a 15-month sentence for attempting to arrange sexual activity with a person he believed to be a 15-year-old. Judge Patrick Thomas, during that trial, also called him "sly and manipulative."Further reports cited by La Derecha Diario reveal Wilson also tried to lure two teenagers to a hotel in 2010, offering them money for a “night of fun.” He also violated legal restrictions prohibiting contact with minors and failed to disclose that he travelled to the 2010 World Cup with a group that included a child.Wilson began refereeing in 1985 and rose through the ranks. In 2000, he was named president of the Worcester Referees’ Society, and by 2005, he was promoted to the Premier League assistant referee roster.At the time, he said:“My ultimate goal is to officiate in the Premier League.”He joined the select group officiating in the Football League shortly after, but his career was cut short later in 2009 following the first revelations of his misconduct.Wilson, now residing in Rowley Regis, West Midlands, was convicted of rape and sexual assault and sentenced to nine years in prison. The court recognised the long-lasting trauma he inflicted and the manipulative, premeditated nature of his actions.