BRIGHTON PAEDOPHILE CHRISTOPHER LEANEY SENTENCED AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND SEXUAL OFFENCES IN HOLLINGBURY AND BRIGHTON

In a significant case that has shocked the Brighton community, Christopher Mark Leaney, aged 34, of Cuckmere Way in Hollingbury, was sentenced to a year in prison at Hove Crown Court on Thursday, 9 May. The conviction followed a detailed investigation into his possession and distribution of child abuse images, as well as his previous criminal history involving sexual offences against minors.

Leaney had previously admitted to 18 separate offences related to the creation, possession, and distribution of indecent images of children, including prohibited and extreme pornography. The court was informed that he possessed a total of 104 videos and 590 indecent images, some of which were classified as among the most severe and disturbing categories of such material. Additionally, he had four prohibited images, five extreme pornographic videos, and four extreme images, all of which contributed to the gravity of his offences.

The investigation into Leaney’s activities was initiated by the Sussex Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team, which operates on an intelligence-led basis. Authorities uncovered evidence that indicated Leaney was sharing indecent images of children from his residence in Brighton. Following this discovery, officers executed a search warrant at his home in Cuckmere Way, where they arrested him and seized a substantial amount of forensic evidence. This evidence was subsequently examined by technical experts to establish the extent of his online activities.

Detective Constable Jackie Keogh commented on the case, stating, “There is no evidence to suggest that any of the images were of local children or that Leaney was engaging in contact offences, either directly or online. However, every image by its very nature depicts an offence against a child, and some of these images were truly appalling.”

In addition to his current sentence, Leaney was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, which restricts his access to the internet and limits his contact with girls under the age of 16 until a court lifts the restrictions. Furthermore, upon his release from prison, he will be required to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Leaning’s criminal history also includes a 2009 conviction for engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl in a park. At that time, he was 29 years old. This prior conviction resulted in a two-year prison sentence. The court noted that Leaney had previously been sentenced to two years for this offence, which was separate from his current case involving child abuse images.

In a related and deeply troubling case from September 2009, Leaney was involved in a relationship with a 15-year-old girl, who later gave birth to his child. The girl’s father discovered the relationship after finding a letter from a midwife, revealing the pregnancy. Despite Leaney’s initial denials, claiming there was nothing going on, it was later confirmed that he had been carrying out a secret affair with the teenager, having sexual encounters with her in Stanmer Park, Brighton. The relationship ended when Leaney was arrested in October of the previous year.

At Hove Crown Court, Leaney admitted to four charges of sexual activity with a minor. He was sentenced to two years in prison for these offences. The court was informed that at the time of the offences, Leaney was 29 years old and had no prior convictions. He was described as a hardworking individual who had served as an officer in the Nautical Training Corps, based at TS Zealous in Carden Avenue, Brighton.

Prosecutor Michael Warren recounted that the girl’s father confronted Leaney after hearing rumors of the relationship. Leaney initially denied any inappropriate contact, asserting that it would be wrong for a man of his age to see a girl so young. The father believed Leaney’s explanation, unaware of the ongoing romantic liaison. It was only after the family discovered the pregnancy that they contacted the police. Leaney admitted to developing a relationship with the girl and presented her with a ring on Valentine’s Day as a symbol of his commitment.

Defense lawyer Brian Shaw expressed remorse on behalf of Leaney, stating, “Up until this offence, his life has been unexceptional.” The court ordered Leaney to sign the sex offenders’ register for ten years and imposed a sexual offences prevention order for the same period. This order bans him from working or volunteering with any youth or educational organization involving children under 16 and prohibits any contact with girls under that age unless accompanied by an adult relative.

Judge Anthony Niblett concluded by emphasizing the seriousness of the offences, noting that the girl was nearing her 16th birthday. Had Leaney waited just three months, no offence would have been committed. The judge’s sentence reflected the gravity of his actions and the ongoing risk posed by such offenders in the community.