SA court lifts suppression order on YouTuber Stephen David Perrymeant, who is charged with child exploitation offending

Film maker. YouTuber. Child sex offender? Detectives have accused this man of dozens of crimes – both in Australia and overseas. Now, we reveal his identity for the first time.

Stephen David Perrymeant spent his spare time filming hours of content for his YouTube channel, showing off the capabilities of a number of expensive, high-end cameras.

In dozens of documentary-style videos posted to the platform, he and a friend take viewers to a day at the beach, time at their office and a trip to a farm.

However, SA’s elite child-rescuing police team allege the videos were not the only content Mr Perrymeant and his friend – former academic Duncan Langford-Glass – were making.

Stephen Perrymeant in one of his YouTube videos. Pictures: YouTube

He’s also shared videos with Duncan Langford-Glass, who is also facing child sex abuse charges. Pictures: YouTube

They have charged the 39-year-old with more than 50 offences, ranging from controlling the distribution of child sex material to sexually assaulting a minor outside of Australia.

They allege Mr Perrymeant – who has yet to enter pleas – has “at least” 37 victims across Australia, the US, the UK and Poland.

They allege he described himself online as “a predator on social media”.

On Friday, following an application by The Advertiser, the Adelaide Magistrates Court lifted the suppression order that was placed on Mr Perrymeant’s identity after his arrest.

Mr Langford-Glass, meanwhile, is bound for trial, having pleaded not guilty to soliciting and accessing child exploitation material, and to the alleged sextortion of a 14-year-old girl.

In December 2023, the Joint Anti Child Exploitation team, comprised of AFP and SA Police officers, executed a search warrant at Mr Perrymeant’s home at Adelaide’s southern suburbs.

They charged him with one count each of soliciting child abuse material online, possessing child exploitation material online and not complying with a search warrant order.

Mr Perrymeant was remanded in custody by the court – a year later, JACET alleges, a “detailed forensic review” of his devices found thousands of sexually explicit messages, videos and images.

They further alleged he had produced that material and disseminated it to online users around the world.

Mr Langford-Glass in one of Mr Perrymeant’s videos. Pictures: YouTube

Mr Perrymeant is due to answer charges in June. Pictures: YouTube

In documents released by the court, AFP officers allege Mr Perrymeant transmitted child abuse material to Mr Langford-Glass via text messages, as well as other usernames like “Wild D”, on the encrypted Telegram app.

They allege he “persistently” sexually abused a child under the age of 16 in the UK in late 2022, and a second child under 16 in the USA in early 2023.

During the suppression order hearing, a Federal prosecutor – who supported The Advertiser’s application – said the public had a right to know about the allegations.

Reporting them would, she said, be in the public interest as it may bring forward other alleged victims.

“This defendant described himself, in online chats, as ‘a predator on social media’,” she said.

“There are at least 37 child victims that are the subject of charges that reside all around Australia and in multiple different countries including the US, UK and Poland.

“His offending is prolific, and it’s unlikely it’s limited to the conduct that is the subject of these charges.

“We say that because, in his online chats, he reminisces about conduct of a sexual offending nature that he committed in Bali.”

Mr Perrymeant was remanded in custody to face court again in June.

Outside court, AFP Sergeant Joe Barry said any type of abuse against children was “deplorable”.

“The depraved nature of this type of behaviour damages the innocence of young children and has long-lasting psychological and wellbeing impacts on these children and their families,” Sgt Barry said.

Originally published as SA court lifts suppression order on YouTuber Stephen David Perrymeant, who is charged with child exploitation offending