By Abigail Hunt,Sarah Tulloch
Copyright dailystar
A former lollipop man, once hailed for his service to the community, has confessed to owning a horrifying collection of child sexual abuse images. Steve Carter, 52, was a familiar and trusted figure in the Newtownabbey area of Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, especially at St Mary’s on the Hill Primary School, where he served for over a decade. He earned the admiration of staff, parents, and children alike, often taking part in school events, donning a Santa suit for Christmas and dressing up as Batman for Halloween. While none of Carter’s crimes are linked to St Mary’s on the Hill, his arrest and subsequent charges have sent shockwaves through the local community. In 2019, Carter was crowned Northern Ireland’s Lollipop Person of the Year. However, his reputation crumbled when he was nicked in September 2024 after a teenager found a hidden camera disguised as a can of body spray in a shower room, reports the Mirror . The police confiscated Carter’s electronic devices, revealing a stash of indecent images of children dating back to October 2021. Forensic analysis confirmed he had bought the covert camera online, according to Sunday Life. Despite the police investigation being delayed due to a medical emergency suffered by Carter, he later admitted under caution to purchasing the camera and, during subsequent court proceedings, confessed to creating indecent images of a child. Following his arrest, Carter was suspended from his position at the school. In March 2025, parents were told that he hadn’t set foot on the school grounds since his initial detention. He made a brief appearance at Belfast Crown Court on Tuesday, September 9, and was freed on continuing bail. Sentencing is anticipated in November, awaiting probation and psychological evaluations. Many recalled him as a cheerful and dedicated father who had openly discussed losing his wife, Denise, during childbirth, and talked about bringing up their four children single-handedly. His circumstances had previously garnered him respect and backing from the school and local community. A parent from the school commented: “Steve Carter turning out to be a paedophile has devastated everyone at the school, and in Glengormley where he lived,” said one parent. “He came across as such a friendly, happy fella who had overcome the tragedy of losing his wife. “Steve would make a point of learning the name of every child at the school and calling them by name as he escorted them across the road. “At Christmas, he dressed up as Santa for the school winter fair and handed out gifts to the younger kids. “He also dressed up as Batman every Halloween as he escorted children across the Carnmoney Road.” The fallout from the case has had a ripple effect on the school. Following Carter’s suspension, St Mary’s on the Hill has been left without a permanent lollipop person. Other members of staff have had to step in to cover the role for what remains of the 2024–2025 school year. In a recent correspondence to parents, the school acknowledged that the Education Authority has failed to supply a replacement for the coming term, describing the circumstances as “frustrating” and revealing that the board of governors is “aghast.” The school sits on a steep incline beside a bustling road with a history of traffic accidents, heightening worries about pupil safety without a dedicated crossing patrol officer in place.
