LEO HARTLEY FROM HARLOW SENTENCED AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULTS AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY DISCOVERED

In March 2017, a disturbing case involving Leo Hartley, a resident of Harlow, unfolded in Chelmsford Crown Court, revealing a series of heinous crimes committed against young boys. Hartley, aged 35 and residing in Rivermill, was found guilty of multiple serious offenses, including the sexual assault of two 14-year-old boys and the possession of a significant collection of indecent images depicting child abuse.

Hartley's sentencing followed a lengthy investigation that uncovered his disturbing behavior dating back to late 2014. The court heard that Hartley, who was previously employed as a retail worker and personal trainer, had no remorse for his actions, sobbing as he was sentenced to two years in prison. The judge, Christopher Morgan, expressed his concern over the delayed justice, noting that Hartley was first arrested on March 9, 2015, yet only now faced conviction.

The first assault occurred on December 10, 2014, when Hartley inappropriately touched the penis of a 14-year-old boy. The following February, he committed a similar sexual assault on another 14-year-old. Prosecutor Matthew Sorrell-Cameron detailed that Hartley had met his first victim at a bus stop when the boy was just 13 years old. Over time, the boy began visiting Hartley's home to play Xbox, during which the abuse took place.

During police interviews, Hartley admitted to knowing the boy was under 16, which compounded the severity of his crimes. The prosecutor recounted that Hartley showed the boy a Facebook video of a girl walking a dog, which he found amusing. While the boy watched the video, Hartley groped his penis, holding it for a few seconds and asking, “Have you ever tried it?” The boy, distressed, pushed Hartley's hand away and told him to get away. The boy left Hartley's house shortly afterward, feeling uneasy and worried about returning.

The second assault involved a different 14-year-old boy during what was described as 'playfighting.' Hartley engaged in rough physical contact, which included squeezing and grabbing the boy's genital area over his clothes. The boy initially thought nothing of the incident but later realized the significance of Hartley's actions when he experienced an erection during the encounter. Hartley continued the 'playfighting' after a break, with the behavior seeming focused on the boy, who only later understood the inappropriate nature of what had transpired.

Following these incidents, Hartley sent a series of Facebook messages to the second victim, including one that read, “You got a bit of a big dick ain’t ya LOL.” The boy described feeling shocked and disgusted by the messages, which he found deeply upsetting. He also reported feeling pressured and intimidated by his family to remain silent about the abuse, and he has struggled academically since the attacks.

In addition to the assaults, authorities discovered that Hartley possessed a large collection of indecent images of children. The police found 386 pictures and 18 videos depicting child abuse, including one involving the oral rape of a girl aged between four and five. The images were classified into categories based on their severity: 106 images and one video in the most serious Category A; 185 images and 17 videos in Category B; and 95 images in Category C. Among these, Hartley admitted to possessing material that included the most severe forms of child exploitation.

The investigation into Hartley's activities was extensive, involving inquiries into linked cases and additional victims, which contributed to the lengthy period between his arrest and sentencing. The court was told that the delay was due to the time required to process the images and conduct thorough investigations.

Hartley's actions have left a lasting impact on his victims, and his sentencing underscores the importance of justice in cases involving child exploitation and abuse. His remorse appeared absent during the proceedings, and the court's decision reflects the gravity of his offenses and the need to protect vulnerable children from predators like him.