Former Football Premier League Assistant Referee Jailed for Rape and Sexual Assault After 12-Year Evasion

Former top-flight official Steven Wilson was jailed for nine years for rape and sexual assault

Steven Wilson, 55, of Rowley Regis, West Midlands, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for rape and sexual assault following a "degrading and humiliating ordeal" in 2009. The conviction at Worcester Crown Court comes after Wilson, previously known as Steven Dorr, evaded justice for over a decade.

The court heard how Wilson lured his victim from a taxi rank in Worcester city centre under the false pretence of taking him to a party. Once inside Wilson’s flat, the victim—who had never met Wilson before—realised the premises were empty. Wilson locked the door, trapping the man inside before forcing him to perform oral sex and sexually assaulting him while pornographic videos played in the background.

Detective Constable Chris Hawkes, who led the investigation, described the attack as "awful," stating the victim was "incredibly scared" during the three to four-hour ordeal. The victim only identified Wilson years later in 2021 after reading about his prior conviction for sexual offences involving teenage boys.

Under the name Steve or Steven Dorr, Wilson officiated in the Football League (pictured in 2005 during a League Two fixture)

In November 2011, Wilson was convicted under the name Steven Dorr for attempting to arrange sexual contact with a fictional 15-year-old via text message. Judge Patrick Thomas QC sentenced him to 15 months in prison, labelling him "devious and manipulative." The offence occurred after Wilson invited three teenagers—two aged 17 and one 16—to a hotel room on Valentine’s Day 2010, offering money for sexual acts.

Wilson was also found guilty of breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which barred him from contact with children under 17. He further failed to notify authorities when travelling to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a toddler. The SOPO was imposed in January 2010 after he admitted to downloading child pornography, resulting in a three-year community order.

Once a promising football referee, Wilson’s career ended in 2009 when his offences came to light, leading to his removal from the National List of Referees. He had risen through the ranks since 1985, becoming chairman of the Worcester Referees Society in 2000 and later officiating in the Football League. Wilson had aspired to referee in the Premier League before his crimes derailed his career.

In addition to his prison sentence, Wilson has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.