Latest news with #Sopo
Times
20-05-2025
- Times
Sex offender jailed after facial recognition spots him with child
A registered sex offender has been jailed for two years after he was caught alone with a six-year-old girl by a live facial recognition camera. David Cheneler, 73, from Lewisham, who had served nine years for 21 offences against children, was arrested in January in the Denmark Hill area of London when cameras alerted officers to his presence. When he was stopped by officers, he was in the company of a girl he had picked up from school as a favour to her mother, who was not aware of his previous convictions. Checks confirmed that Cheneler had breached his sexual offences prevention order (Sopo), which prevented him from being alone with a child under the age of 14. He was also in possession of a
Belfast Telegraph
26-04-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI in bid to extend paedophile's sex crimes order
The PSNI is seeking to extend a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (Sopo) for a filmmaker caught with a huge haul of indecent images of children. Simon Hosick, from Lower Balloo Road in Groomsport, was handed the Sopo 10 years ago at Downpatrick Crown Court after he was found to have more than a million depraved images.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nigeria's Creele Animation Studios Unveils 3D-Short ‘Sopo' Inspired By Afrobeat Star Fela Kuti & Int'l Ambitions
EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian startup Creele Animation Studios has unveiled first images and details for its upcoming 3D short Sopo, inspired by the early life of revered late Afrobeat star Fela Kuti. The Lagos-based animation company says the work, directed by Nigerian singer songwriter and co-founder Nissi Ogulu, marks a step in its ambition to introduce African animation to the world. More from Deadline Nigerian Showrunner Uche Ikejimba Unveils 'Lagos Love Stories' & 'Alex From Oil & Gas' & Talks 'Big Brother Naija' Lion Forge Unveils Fresh Cast For Nigerian Animated Superhero Series 'Iyanu' & Sponsorship Of Lagos-Set The Voiceover Conference Nigerian Action Thriller 'Son Of The Soil' Begins Shooting, Raz Adoti Writing & Starring It is loosely inspired by Nigerian broadcaster and music critic Benson Idonije's 2016 memoir 'Dis Fela Sef! The Legend(s) Untold', paying tribute to Kuti, whose work has inspired a host of contemporary artists such as Wycliff Jean and Beyoncé. Idonije was well-placed to write the biography having been Kuti's first band manager and life-long friend. In Sopo, Kuti's story has been transposed into the tale of Oyejo, a young musician yearning for the approval of father Dotun, a man too consumed by expectation to recognize his son's true gift. Their rift grows until Dotun discovers Oyejo's talents, thanks to music speaking louder than words, which leads to a heartfelt reconciliation. Sopo which translates as 'connect' in Yoruba, one of Nigeria's major indigenous languages, has just rounded up production. Creele Animation Studios will unveil the film in a private screening in May In Lagos, followed by a festival tour and a limited theatrical run in Nigeria. The company is also in discussions with distributors and streaming platforms for an international release. Business manager Jean Etienne says plans are a foot to expand Sopo into a feature-length film, with the short serving as a prequel to the bigger story. 'We are already in discussions with prominent producers and financier to expand this into a feature film imminently, alongside other projects currently in development with announcements coming sometime in Q2/Q3 2025,' he said. Sopo is the second animated short from Nissi Ogulu – who is also Idonije's granddaughter – after 2020 work The Satchel. 'Sopo is not just an animated film, it's a visually stunning and historically rich chronicle of the birth of a movement,' she said. 'This project is a celebration of our roots and an exploration of the transformative power of music. Sopo is more than just a film—it's part of a larger movement to Make Africa Cool Again, showcasing the continent's creative brilliance to the world,' she continued. The cultural and historical significance of this story makes it imperative to be told with authenticity and depth, reinforcing Creele Animation Studios' commitment to pioneering African storytelling on a global stage.' Produced entirely in Lagos, Nigeria, the work features music and an original score by Made Kuti, Fela Kuti's grandson who has also forged a career as an Afrobeat singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. 'Music is at the heart of Sopo. It's an honor to bring the soulful sounds of Afrobeat to this narrative and to connect with our heritage,' he said. Businesswoman and talent manager Bose Ogulu, who is Nissi Ogulu's mother and also manages her musical career alongside that of her brother Burna Boy, is an executive producer. 'We believe in the future of African animation. Sopo is just the beginning of our journey to redefine storytelling and make it accessible to all,' she said. Etienne added the short film was part of the company's wider drive to position African animation on the global stage. 'There has never been a better time to take African animation mainstream. Nollywood is a major film market and the third-largest in the world by production volume, behind Hollywood and Bollywood,' he said. 'At Creele, our mission is simple—to produce African animation for a global audience. Incredible stories are waiting to be told, and it would be unfair to keep them hidden. We are entering a coming-of-age decade for Nollywood, and Creele is ready to lead the charge for Indigenous animation integration' Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery How To Watch 'Wicked: Part One': Is The Film Streaming Yet? All The Songs In 'Severance' Season 2: From The Who To Ella Fitzgerald
The Independent
07-03-2025
- The Independent
‘Brutal child predator' sentenced to 23 years in prison
A 21-year-old man described by police as a 'brutal child predator' is to serve 23 years in prison after being convicted of rape, sexual abuse, blackmail, having indecent images and assault involving three teenage boys. Stephen-Lee McIlvenny, originally from west Belfast, with an address given as Hydebank Young Offenders Centre, pleaded guilty to 77 counts in November. The sentencing hearing at Craigavon Crown Court on Friday heard the counts covered sexual offending, blackmail and intimidation, possession and distribution of indecent images and grievous bodily harm and common assault. It also heard the three victims all suffer from PTSD. The mother of one of them described a 'profound' impact on her son in a statement. McIlvenny wore a dark-coloured suit as he sat in the dock, often with his head bowed down, during the hour-long hearing. The court heard he had been 16 years old at the start of the offending which went on until he was 19. During the hearing, the court heard McIlvenny forced his victims to engage in sexual acts and be filmed doing so by threatening to publish images he already had of them online. More than 1,000 images and videos, including of oral and anal rape, were discovered of the victims. The court heard that some of these videos were posted online, including to Snapchat as well as the video streaming website Pornhub. It heard McIlvenny set up an account on Pornhub on March 23 2022, and uploaded seven videos between March and September 2022, which were viewed more than 30,000 times and earned a commission of 19.94 dollars. Judge Donna McColgan said McIlvenny took advantage of the youth and vulnerability of his victims. 'The sexual offences were committed by enticing each of the three victims into the defendant's lair of depravation by a combination of lies, intimidation, bribery, coercion and exploitation,' she said. 'In essence the defendant took full advantage of the youth and vulnerabilities of each of these three boys to achieve his own perverse goals. 'They have each been affected by the abuse perpetrated on them significantly.' McIlvenny is set to spend 23 years in prison after being sentenced to concurrent terms for the 77 counts. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (Sopo) for 10 years upon release. In a statement following the sentencing a mother of one of the victims said the 'sick crimes' have had a 'profound' effect on her son. 'The trauma he has experienced has resulted in difficulty not just forming new relationships but has also impacted current relationships. He understandably finds it hard to trust people now,' she said. 'Not only was the abuse my son suffered of a sexual nature, he was also beaten, leaving him with a bleed on the brain and if members of the public hadn't have stepped in I dread to think what would have happened. This was all to keep him quiet about the sexual abuse, terrify him into silence. 'There is still very much a stigma around male victims of sexual crimes that has made him feel like he has to carry shame. This has led to severe depression and anxiety.' She also said the sentencing has given them 'some form of closure', and urged any other victims to speak up. 'I would like to spread awareness that this happens to boys also and that they are more reluctant to speak out. More societal support is needed for young boys who have suffered the way my son has,' she said. 'I advise other parents to trust your gut always, it serves as an internal warning system. We noticed that his personality was different, he was becoming aggressive and acting out of character. I wish I had acted on those warning signs. 'If you are a young boy who is being targeted and abused don't be afraid to speak up, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Don't keep the secrets of your sick and twisted abuser, it will be the ruination of you.' Speaking outside court, Detective Inspector Nikki Deehan welcomed the sentencing. She described McIlvenny as a 'child predator who brutally sexually exploited his young victims and inflicted long lasting trauma'. ' People have an image of a paedophile in their minds but the digital world has warped this and parents need to be aware that perpetrators are getting younger, more tech savvy and extremely manipulative,' she said. 'I want to thank the victims in this case for coming forward and bringing this predator before the courts to answer for his heinous crimes.' She also urged any other male victims suffering in silence to report to police. 'You will be believed and we will support you in a sensitive manner,' she said. 'We cannot let child predators operate under the surface of society any more. McIlvenny's offending was uncovered and taken extremely seriously by our criminal justice system. Let that serve as a warning.'
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘Brutal child predator' sentenced to 23 years in prison
A 21-year-old man described by police as a 'brutal child predator' is to serve 23 years in prison after being convicted of rape, sexual abuse, blackmail, having indecent images and assault involving three teenage boys. Stephen-Lee McIlvenny, originally from west Belfast, with an address given as Hydebank Young Offenders Centre, pleaded guilty to 77 counts in November. The sentencing hearing at Craigavon Crown Court on Friday heard the counts covered sexual offending, blackmail and intimidation, possession and distribution of indecent images and grievous bodily harm and common assault. It also heard the three victims all suffer from PTSD. The mother of one of them described a 'profound' impact on her son in a statement. McIlvenny wore a dark-coloured suit as he sat in the dock, often with his head bowed down, during the hour-long hearing. The court heard he had been 16 years old at the start of the offending which went on until he was 19. During the hearing, the court heard McIlvenny forced his victims to engage in sexual acts and be filmed doing so by threatening to publish images he already had of them online. More than 1,000 images and videos, including of oral and anal rape, were discovered of the victims. The court heard that some of these videos were posted online, including to Snapchat as well as the video streaming website Pornhub. It heard McIlvenny set up an account on Pornhub on March 23 2022, and uploaded seven videos between March and September 2022, which were viewed more than 30,000 times and earned a commission of 19.94 dollars. Judge Donna McColgan said McIlvenny took advantage of the youth and vulnerability of his victims. 'The sexual offences were committed by enticing each of the three victims into the defendant's lair of depravation by a combination of lies, intimidation, bribery, coercion and exploitation,' she said. 'In essence the defendant took full advantage of the youth and vulnerabilities of each of these three boys to achieve his own perverse goals. 'They have each been affected by the abuse perpetrated on them significantly.' McIlvenny is set to spend 23 years in prison after being sentenced to concurrent terms for the 77 counts. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (Sopo) for 10 years upon release. In a statement following the sentencing a mother of one of the victims said the 'sick crimes' have had a 'profound' effect on her son. 'The trauma he has experienced has resulted in difficulty not just forming new relationships but has also impacted current relationships. He understandably finds it hard to trust people now,' she said. 'Not only was the abuse my son suffered of a sexual nature, he was also beaten, leaving him with a bleed on the brain and if members of the public hadn't have stepped in I dread to think what would have happened. This was all to keep him quiet about the sexual abuse, terrify him into silence. 'There is still very much a stigma around male victims of sexual crimes that has made him feel like he has to carry shame. This has led to severe depression and anxiety.' She also said the sentencing has given them 'some form of closure', and urged any other victims to speak up. 'I would like to spread awareness that this happens to boys also and that they are more reluctant to speak out. More societal support is needed for young boys who have suffered the way my son has,' she said. 'I advise other parents to trust your gut always, it serves as an internal warning system. We noticed that his personality was different, he was becoming aggressive and acting out of character. I wish I had acted on those warning signs. 'If you are a young boy who is being targeted and abused don't be afraid to speak up, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Don't keep the secrets of your sick and twisted abuser, it will be the ruination of you.' Speaking outside court, Detective Inspector Nikki Deehan welcomed the sentencing. She described McIlvenny as a 'child predator who brutally sexually exploited his young victims and inflicted long lasting trauma'. 'People have an image of a paedophile in their minds but the digital world has warped this and parents need to be aware that perpetrators are getting younger, more tech savvy and extremely manipulative,' she said. 'I want to thank the victims in this case for coming forward and bringing this predator before the courts to answer for his heinous crimes.' She also urged any other male victims suffering in silence to report to police. 'You will be believed and we will support you in a sensitive manner,' she said. 'We cannot let child predators operate under the surface of society any more. McIlvenny's offending was uncovered and taken extremely seriously by our criminal justice system. Let that serve as a warning.'
