Leeds paedophile Joshua Middleton jailed for abuse and indecent images

LEEDS PAEDOPHILE JOSHUA MIDDLETON JAILED FOR ABUSE AND INDECENT IMAGES

A sick paedophile who sexually assaulted a young boy and sent indecent images of him to others has been locked up.

Joshua Middleton, 28, targeted the boy - then 12 - and filmed the abuse.

Prosecutor Soheil Khan told Leeds Crown Court that police became aware of Middleton's crimes after discovering a Snapchat account linked to his email had posted an indecent image of a child online.

Officers found evidence at his mother's address, including a mobile phone, which contained images of a child identified as the victim in messages.

The boy described the abuse, saying Middleton touched him and caused him to expose himself.

Middleton also videoed the victim and sent the video to others despite being told to stop.

He admitted to making indecent images and sexually assaulting a child under 13.

The boy's impact statement expressed feelings of fear, shame, and difficulty trusting others, along with deep emotional trauma.

The boy's parents highlighted the long-lasting harm inflicted upon their child, fearing the ongoing mental health impacts.

Middleton, who has no prior convictions, has a learning disability that affected his ability to read and write, with a mental age akin to a young boy.

Mitigating, Sean Smith described Middleton as highly suggestible, with significant personal issues and presenting as 'child-like'.

He was sentenced to 30 months in prison and a sexual harm prevention order, serving half of his sentence in custody before release on license.

The court acknowledged the devastating effect on the victim and his family, with the judge emphasizing that no sentence can undo the harm caused.