LESLEY COMPTON OF TEWKESBURY JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRL IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE

In March 2010, Leslie Compton, 53, of Northway Lane, Tewkesbury—formerly residing in Water Meadow, Quedgeley—was sentenced to two years and five months in prison for grooming and sexually abusing a young girl. Compton was described by the court as having carried out persistent, deliberate, and manipulative sexual assaults on a vulnerable child.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was between 11 and 13 years old during the abuse. James Patrick, prosecuting at Bristol Crown Court, stated that Compton initially exhibited 'touchy-feely' behavior to groom the girl before abusing her sexually. The court heard that Compton touched her body inappropriately and was convicted of two charges of indecent assault and one of sexual assault following a trial that concluded three weeks prior.

Compton’s defense attorney, Anna Vigars, indicated that her client had begun to change his attitude since his conviction and expressed willingness to cooperate with the Probation Service and Police Public Protection Service.

Judge Mark Horton sentenced Compton to 2 years and 5 months in prison on Friday, emphasizing, 'You are 53 and of good character.' The judge detailed the nature of the offences, mentioning a 'specimen count' of Compton rubbing his private parts against the girl’s body, as well as the gradual grooming process that transitioned into sexual abuse.

He remarked, 'This was affected by you through a gradual period of grooming achieved by being initially touchy-feely so that the child, as young as she was when this started, could not notice the transition from touch to sexual abuse.' Judge Horton also noted Compton's admission of further offending during discussions with the probation officer.

As part of his sentence, Compton will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years and subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order that restricts contact with minors. The judge concluded by stating, 'These were persistent, deliberate and manipulative sexual assaults on a vulnerable child for a prolonged period. That represents an ongoing risk of harm to teenage girls. You have started to address a sexual problem that you have had for some time.'