DONALD MCLEOD SENTENCED FOR YEARS OF ABUSE IN BICESTER
In a case that has shocked the community of Bicester, Donald McLeod, aged 52, was handed a substantial prison sentence after being found guilty of multiple counts of sexual abuse against a teenage girl.The conviction followed a trial held in November of the previous year, during which the court heard detailed evidence of McLeod’s heinous actions.
On January 2013, at Oxford Crown Court, Judge Gordon Risius delivered the verdict and sentencing.
McLeod was convicted on five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a minor, specifically a girl who was over four years old at the time of the offenses.
The judge emphasized the severity of the crimes, noting that the abuse was carried out repeatedly over a period of time, causing profound psychological harm to the victim.
Judge Risius expressed his concern over the lasting impact of McLeod’s actions, stating, “The psychological damage must be considerable and may last for a very long time, possibly the rest of her life.
You robbed her of an important part of her childhood.” The judge also pointed out the apparent lack of remorse from McLeod, which influenced the severity of the sentence.
As part of the court’s ruling, McLeod was ordered to be added to the sex offenders’ register and was issued a sexual offences prevention order that will be in effect for ten years.
This order explicitly prohibits him from having any unsupervised contact with children, and it restricts him from sleeping in a residence with children unless he has prior approval from their parents or guardians, as well as the police.
During the hearing, McLeod’s defense attorney, Graham Bennett, highlighted that his client had no previous criminal record related to similar offenses.
Despite this, Judge Risius sentenced McLeod to six years in prison for the five counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Additionally, McLeod received a one-month sentence for a single count of sexual activity with a girl, which was also to be served alongside the other sentences.
The case has left a lasting impact on the local community, raising awareness about the importance of protecting vulnerable children and ensuring justice for victims of sexual abuse.
