JOHN LEAVER FROM BRIERFIELD FACES JAIL OVER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN BLACKBURN

In a case that has shocked the community of Brierfield, John Leaver, a 68-year-old resident of Barker Court, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation involving the possession of indecent images of children. The incident, which came to light in late 2019 and culminated in early 2020, revealed disturbing details about Leaver's online activities that ultimately led to his arrest and court proceedings.

According to court records, Leaver was found to have downloaded and stored multiple images depicting child abuse. Among these, one was classified as a Category A image, indicating the most severe level of harm, and involved the rape of a girl estimated to be between 10 and 13 years old. The other images included both Category C and more serious content, featuring children as young as five years old. These images were discovered during police investigations into Leaver's internet activity, which uncovered a total of five indecent photographs in his possession.

The legal proceedings began in November 2019, when Leaver was charged with possessing indecent photographs of children. During the hearing at Burnley Magistrates Court, the prosecution revealed that Leaver had admitted to possessing one indecent image and making two indecent images of children between December 20th and 31st, 2017, at his residence in Brierfield. The court was informed that Leaver had no prior criminal record, and he expressed remorse for his actions throughout the process.

In January 2020, Leaver pleaded guilty to three charges related to the possession of indecent images. The court sentenced him to six months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for 18 months, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offense within that period. Additionally, Leaver was placed under community supervision for 18 months, with a requirement to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities aimed at addressing his behavior.

Furthermore, Leaver was ordered to register as a sex offender and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order, both of which will remain in effect for seven years. He was also fined £85 in court costs and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115. The court emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the need for ongoing monitoring and intervention to prevent future harm.

This case has not only highlighted the dangers of internet-based child exploitation but also raised concerns within the Brierfield community about the presence of such offenders. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to tackling these crimes and protecting vulnerable children from harm. The sentencing and legal actions serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the consequences of engaging in such illegal activities.