GRANT LEALAND FROM PRESTWICH CAUGHT GROOMING 14-YEAR-OLD EAST LANCASHIRE GIRL AFTER TRAVELING FROM SPAIN

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Grant Lealand, a 28-year-old bartender from Prestwich, has been found guilty of grooming a 14-year-old girl from East Lancashire. The incident came to light after a series of troubling events that revealed Lealand’s inappropriate and illegal conduct towards the young teenager.

According to court proceedings, Lealand first met the underage girl while she was visiting her family in East Lancashire. The girl was on an extended visit to the area, which is a popular holiday destination, and during this time, Lealand managed to establish a relationship with her. Prosecutors detailed how Lealand traveled from Spain to East Lancashire with the apparent intent of engaging in sexual activity with the minor. The court heard that he had previously met her during her visits to Spain, where he had groomed her over multiple occasions.

The grooming process reportedly intensified after the girl’s final visit to Spain. Lealand began to contact her online more frequently, creating a false sense of intimacy and trust. Prosecutors stated that the girl believed she was in a genuine relationship with Lealand, which made her vulnerable to his manipulations. As her visits continued, Lealand’s actions became more invasive and calculated.

Unbeknownst to the girl’s family or friends, Lealand decided to follow her back to East Lancashire after her last trip to Spain. He maintained his online contact with her, further entrenching himself in her life. The court heard that Lealand, who listed his address as St Cuthbert’s Road, Prestwich, arranged to meet the girl at a hotel in Clitheroe. This planned meeting was part of his ongoing attempt to engage in sexual activity with her.

The disturbing nature of Lealand’s actions was only uncovered when a teacher at the girl’s school noticed a pattern of her being regularly picked up by Lealand. Concerned about her welfare, the school contacted the Engage team, a specialized unit within Lancashire Police dedicated to safeguarding vulnerable children. The police team acted swiftly, and their intervention was instrumental in protecting the girl from further harm.

Lealand was brought before Preston Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to charges of sexual activity with a child. The court sentenced him to a six-month conditional discharge and ordered him to sign the sex offenders’ register for six months. A second charge, related to meeting a female under the age for sexual grooming, was left on file, meaning it could be pursued further if necessary.

Detective Sergeant Mark Whelan, of Lancashire Police’s Engage team, commented on the case, stating, “Lealand has been brought to justice thanks to the excellent work from the school in identifying a child who was vulnerable. The links the team has with multiple agencies has proved invaluable in dealing with this case, and moving quickly to safeguard the child involved.”

Lealand’s case highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation among educational institutions, law enforcement, and social services in protecting young people from predators. The community now awaits further legal proceedings, as Lealand’s sentencing is scheduled for a later date, with the case serving as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online grooming and the importance of safeguarding children from exploitation.