Mike Scappaticci

While no public criminal case information was found for an individual specifically named 'Mike Scappaticci' in the UK, records indicate legal proceedings and convictions for two individuals with similar surnames: Freddie Scappaticci and Michele Scappaticci.

Freddie Scappaticci

Freddie Scappaticci, widely alleged to be the British Army's top agent within the IRA known as "Stakeknife," faced criminal charges and other legal proceedings in the UK. He consistently denied being Stakeknife.

• Charges and Conviction: On December 5, 2018, Freddie Scappaticci, then 72, appeared before Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London and admitted to two counts of possessing extreme pornography. The court heard that the charges related to at least 329 images, some of which involved bestiality, but none depicted children.
• Court Decision: He was sentenced to three months in custody, suspended for 12 months. The magistrate noted his lack of prior court appearances for 50 years as a sign of good character.
• Other Legal Proceedings: Scappaticci launched a libel action in January 2004 against a tabloid newspaper that identified him as "Stakeknife," accusing the paper of criminal libel and putting his life in danger. He also pursued a legal bid to compel the British government to publicly confirm or deny his alleged role as Stakeknife, but this attempt was unsuccessful. An extensive investigation, Operation Kenova, was launched in 2016 into the activities of Stakeknife, including allegations of torture and murder. However, Freddie Scappaticci died in April 2023 at the age of 77 before any charges related to these alleged Troubles-era crimes were brought against him. In July 2025, the High Court ruled that his will would be sealed for 70 years, citing a "real risk of serious physical harm or even death" to those named in it due to his association with the deceased.

Michele Scappaticci

Michele Scappaticci has been convicted of serious sexual offenses against a child.

• Charges and Conviction: Michele Scappaticci, 58, of Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to 19 charges. These included three counts of raping a child, four counts of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration, two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, two counts of causing a child to watch sexual activity, three counts of making indecent images of children, three counts of taking indecent images of children, one count of possessing a prohibited image, and one count of possessing an extreme pornographic image. The offenses involved a campaign of rape and sexual abuse against a young girl over approximately four years, concluding in 2025. Analysis of his phone revealed 778 indecent images and videos, including 204 Category A images (the most serious kind).
• Court Appearance and Decision: He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on June 8, 2026. Judge Graham Knowles sentenced Scappaticci to an 18-year custodial term with an eight-year extended license period, resulting in a total sentence of 26 years. He is required to serve a minimum of two-thirds of the custodial term before being considered for release. The judge described Scappaticci as "predatory and manipulative" and a "highly dangerous man."