July 2022 Paedophile yet again defied a court order A transgender paedophile has yet again defied a court order imposed after being jailed four years ago is back behind bars. Leah Harvey, 27, (formerly called Joshua Harvey) of Hafodyrynys Road, Crumlin, Caerphilly, was sent to prison for 24 weeks after admitting the breach of a sexual harm prevention order. That order was imposed in May 2018, Newport Magistrates’ Court was told. On that occasion, the defendant was jailed for three years and eight months for five counts of attempting to incite a girl to engage in sexual activity. Harvey was also previously jailed in 2020 for again breaching a SOPO for ‘bragging about being a paedophile’ and approaching and sexually harassing children Harvey’s latest offending took place on June 30 for having an unregistered electronic device in High Street, Newbridge. The defendant pleaded guilty Harvey was ordered to pay £239 in costs and a surcharge after being released from custody May 2020 Woman who ‘bragged about being a paedophile’ approached boys at Remembrance event A transgender sex offender was overheard “bragging about being a paedophile” just weeks after she was released from prison on licence. Leah Harvey (previously called Joshua) breached her sexual harm prevention order twice by approaching two boys at a Remembrance Day event and two girls working in a takeaway. Sentencing her at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Nicola Jones said: “You knew full well the terms of the order but you blatantly disregarded it to speak to these children.” Harvey was jailed for three years and eight months in May 2018 for five counts of attempting to incite a girl to engage in sexual activity. A sexual harm prevention order was imposed at the same time banning her from having contact with children. Jenny Yeo, prosecuting, said she was released on licence on October 22 last year and breached the order within a fortnight. A police officer saw the defendant approach two boys at a Remembrance Day event and thought she seemed “over-familiar”. The officer thought she might know the children but the boys confirmed they had never met her before. Prosecutors said a member of the public told the officer Harvey’s history and said she had been overheard in a shop “bragging about being a paedophile”. She was arrested on November 13 and gave a few answers in her police interview followed by periods of silence and some “no comment” answers. Harvey then gave a prepared statement saying she was handing out leaflets for the Royal British Legion and saw the boys but did not speak to them. The second breach occurred between November 4 and November 26 and involved two teenage girls working at a takeaway in the Caerphilly area.  Ms Yeo said she went into the takeaway and made the girl feel “uncomfortable”. The defendant returned on November 22 and tried to talk to the girl, who ignored her. Harvey threw a piece of food at her. Prosecutors said the girl told the defendant she should not touch her and Harvey said she had “a surprise” for her. The court heard the girl felt “unsafe” and the defendant tried to get through the hatch to the area behind the counter. Three days later Harvey went back and another girl was working. She found out her name and called it 15 times. Ms Yeo said the defendant asked if the girl was old enough to have a sexual relationship and said she would like to take her out. The court heard Harvey never bought any food and made the second girl feel “vulnerable” and “intimidated”. Leah Harvey, formerly Joshua Harvey, 25, who is in HM Parc Prison in Bridgend, admitted two breaches of a sexual harm prevention order. The judge said she would take into account the impact of lockdown on prisoners “which means more time in your cell and no visits whatsoever”. Harvey was jailed for two years. She was already ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of her life. Gwent Police declined to provide a custody image of Harvey.