LEROY JAMES FROM BRISTOL, NOTTINGHAM, AND SHEFFIELD SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE

In August 2011, Leroy James, a man with a disturbing history of manipulating and sexually abusing young girls across multiple cities, was sentenced to an indefinite prison term for his heinous crimes. The court proceedings revealed a decade-long campaign of abuse that took place in Bristol, Sheffield, and Nottingham, involving four young victims who endured unimaginable suffering at his hands.

During the trial at Bristol Crown Court, it was detailed how Leroy James, formerly residing in St Jude’s and Southmead, subjected his victims to a series of sexual assaults, some of which resulted in severe consequences. One girl, under the age of 16, suffered a miscarriage and later had a second pregnancy terminated due to her abuse by James. The court heard that James had denied 35 charges of sexual misconduct, including allegations of raping one woman three times, indecent assault, and multiple rapes of girls as young as nine.

Specifically, James faced accusations of abusing a girl as young as eight through indecent assault, sexual assaults of children under 13, and five separate rapes of minors under 13. He also denied raping a 14-year-old girl and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old. Additionally, he was accused of abusing another child through nine sexual activity charges and four rapes starting from when she was 13 years old. Despite his denials, the court convicted him on 16 counts of abuse, out of the original 35 charges, involving four of the six complainants.

The verdict included eight counts of rape, two of indecent assault, one sexual assault, and five sexual activity charges. Judge Michael Longman, presiding over the case, sentenced Leroy James to a minimum of ten years and 91 days in prison, with an order for indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention to prevent him from contacting children in the future. The judge described James’s behavior as manipulative, callous, and at times brutal, emphasizing the extent of his control over his victims.

In his remarks, Judge Longman highlighted the severity of James’s actions, stating, “You exerted control over these girls. Your behaviour was manipulative, callous and at times brutal.” The court also recognized the efforts of Detective Constable Neal Hobbs, who led the investigation, awarding him a commendation for his work.

Detective Inspector Gary Stephens of Bristol’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit expressed satisfaction with the sentence, stating, “We are pleased with the sentence passed today on Leroy James and hope that this will allow his victims to move on and attempt to rebuild their lives.” He further described James as a manipulative predator who held a disturbing influence over his victims, causing both physical and mental trauma over many years. The investigation was complex, involving officers from child abuse units in both Bristol and Nottingham, who worked tirelessly to uncover the full extent of James’s offending.

Prosecutor Lynne Matthews, representing the state, provided additional context, revealing that Leroy James, previously known as Robert Day, had maintained relationships with multiple women, fathering their children and acting as a stepfather to others. She recounted how police in Nottingham received a report from a 14-year-old girl claiming James raped her at a New Year’s Eve party. The girl was examined at Bristol Children’s Hospital and tested positive for pregnancy. She told medical staff that James was responsible for her pregnancy, although she later retracted her statement. Nevertheless, another girl confided in police about James’s assault, prompting a thorough investigation.

During the inquiry, multiple young victims came forward, describing instances of rape and sexual abuse in various locations, including a field in Sheffield, where one girl was handcuffed and assaulted. Others recounted abuse in Nottingham, Bristol, and Sheffield homes, often involving drug use such as cocaine and cannabis, which James allegedly used to manipulate and control his victims. The court heard that some victims became pregnant as a result of his abuse.

Defense attorney Richard Smith QC argued that Leroy James did not accept the convictions and maintained that he was falsely accused and convicted. Smith emphasized that James’s troubled childhood and drug abuse played a role in his offending, suggesting that his actions were not solely predatory but also influenced by personal circumstances. Despite these claims, the court’s verdict reflected the overwhelming evidence of James’s guilt, leading to his lengthy imprisonment and protective orders to safeguard other children from potential harm.