A former assistant referee who once officiated in the Premier League has been sentenced to nine years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting a man in 2009 — a crime that remained hidden for over a decade.
Steven Wilson, 55, previously known as Steven Dorr, was convicted at Worcester Crown Court after a harrowing case that revealed how he lured his victim from a taxi rank in Worcester city centre under false pretences.
Posing as someone heading to a party “with lots of girls,” Wilson invited the unsuspecting man to his flat.
Once inside, Wilson locked the door, played pornographic videos, and subjected the man to a degrading and terrifying ordeal lasting several hours.
During that time, he forced the victim into non-consensual acts, including oral sex, before raping him.
The victim, whose identity is legally protected, later described fearing for his safety and not knowing what Wilson was capable of.
The case resurfaced years later in 2021 when the victim recognised Wilson’s name in a news article reporting his previous convictions for offences involving teenage boys.
That earlier case saw Wilson jailed in 2011 for attempting to arrange sexual contact with an imaginary 15-year-old and for offences involving underage boys at a hotel gathering.
Following those convictions, Wilson had also been found guilty of breaching a court order banning him from contact with minors and failing to disclose travel arrangements when attending the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a child.
Before his criminal activities came to light, Wilson had enjoyed a long refereeing career, starting in 1985 and climbing the ranks to become an assistant referee in England’s top flight in 2005.
His career ended in disgrace when he was removed from the National List of Referees in 2009 after his offences first surfaced.
In addition to his prison term, Wilson has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
West Mercia Police, who led the investigation, commended the victim’s bravery in coming forward after so many years. Detective Constable Chris Hawkes described the incident as “awful” and noted how frightening the experience had been for the victim.
Authorities are reminding the public that anyone affected by sexual violence — no matter how long ago it happened — is encouraged to come forward. Victims and survivors can report incidents to the police or reach out to specialist support services for confidential help and advice.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you are urged to contact your local police, a trusted health professional, or a dedicated support organization for assistance. Help is available, and no one should have to suffer in silence.
