DIPTON BOWLS STAR JOHN LEEMAN CAUGHT WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN GATESHEAD
| Red Rose Database
Dipton Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community of Dipton and the wider Co Durham area, John Leeman, a renowned international bowls player representing England, has been implicated in possessing a significant collection of indecent images of children. The incident came to light in 2003 when Leeman was found in a toilet at the Gateshead Metrocentre shopping complex with a photograph depicting naked boys. This discovery prompted further investigation into his activities.
Following this initial incident, Leeman admitted to having additional inappropriate images stored on his personal computer at his residence in St Johns Terrace, Dipton. The authorities seized his computer, although it was not immediately examined at that time. Despite the lack of immediate evidence, Leeman was prosecuted for possessing the photograph found at the shopping centre and was subsequently fined £100. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders' register for a period of five years, reflecting the seriousness of his actions.
However, the case took a more severe turn when a subsequent investigation uncovered a large collection of 148 indecent images of children stored on Leeman’s home computer. This discovery led to further charges against him, including 16 counts of making indecent photographs of children. The court proceedings revealed that Leeman believed the websites he accessed were lawful, but he accepted culpability by pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity. His defense attorney, Steve Rich, expressed remorse on his behalf, asserting that most of the images were at the lower end of the scale of severity.
Leeman, who has gained recognition as one of England’s top indoor bowls players and has competed at the World Indoor Bowls Championships, now faces the consequences of his actions. During the sentencing at Durham Crown Court, Recorder Stuart Brown QC emphasized the gravity of child pornography offenses, stating that the victims, though not physically met by Leeman, were nonetheless real victims. The judge pointed out that while the children depicted were not the youngest, they still deserved the full protection of the law. As part of his sentence, Leeman was ordered to complete an 18-month community rehabilitation order and was also subjected to a five-year sex offenders’ protection order, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct.
Throughout the proceedings, the court highlighted the importance of safeguarding children and the devastating impact of such crimes, regardless of the offender’s social standing or achievements. The case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of online child exploitation and the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable victims from exploitation and abuse.
Following this initial incident, Leeman admitted to having additional inappropriate images stored on his personal computer at his residence in St Johns Terrace, Dipton. The authorities seized his computer, although it was not immediately examined at that time. Despite the lack of immediate evidence, Leeman was prosecuted for possessing the photograph found at the shopping centre and was subsequently fined £100. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders' register for a period of five years, reflecting the seriousness of his actions.
However, the case took a more severe turn when a subsequent investigation uncovered a large collection of 148 indecent images of children stored on Leeman’s home computer. This discovery led to further charges against him, including 16 counts of making indecent photographs of children. The court proceedings revealed that Leeman believed the websites he accessed were lawful, but he accepted culpability by pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity. His defense attorney, Steve Rich, expressed remorse on his behalf, asserting that most of the images were at the lower end of the scale of severity.
Leeman, who has gained recognition as one of England’s top indoor bowls players and has competed at the World Indoor Bowls Championships, now faces the consequences of his actions. During the sentencing at Durham Crown Court, Recorder Stuart Brown QC emphasized the gravity of child pornography offenses, stating that the victims, though not physically met by Leeman, were nonetheless real victims. The judge pointed out that while the children depicted were not the youngest, they still deserved the full protection of the law. As part of his sentence, Leeman was ordered to complete an 18-month community rehabilitation order and was also subjected to a five-year sex offenders’ protection order, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct.
Throughout the proceedings, the court highlighted the importance of safeguarding children and the devastating impact of such crimes, regardless of the offender’s social standing or achievements. The case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of online child exploitation and the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable victims from exploitation and abuse.