LESLEY MERTON FROM REDRUTH SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN CORNWALL
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Redruth Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the community of Redruth and the wider Cornwall region, Leslie Merton, a well-known local figure and esteemed Cornish bard, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 13 years for a series of heinous child sex offences spanning over two decades.
Leslie Merton, aged 70, was convicted at Truro Crown Court on a Friday after a jury found him guilty of 20 separate counts, including indecent assault and acts of indecency with minors. His conviction relates to the abuse of five young girls, whose identities are protected by law, over a period from 1983 to 2004. The court heard that these girls, aged between five and fifteen at the time, endured a series of disturbing and depraved acts at the hands of Merton.
According to court proceedings, Merton subjected the victims to a range of manipulative and abusive behaviors. Some of the girls were coerced into watching pornography, while others were given alcohol and special privileges in exchange for performing sexual acts. These acts, which took place over a span of more than twenty years, reveal a pattern of predatory behavior that has left a lasting scar on the victims and the community.
During the sentencing on Wednesday, Judge Christopher Harvey Clark, QC, expressed his profound disappointment and sadness over the case. He acknowledged Merton’s status as a respected member of the Cornish community, highlighting his contributions to local literature and culture. The judge noted that Merton was made a bard in 2004 by the Cornish Gorsedh, an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Cornish language, literature, and cultural traditions.
Defense solicitor Joanna Martin spoke on behalf of Merton, emphasizing his standing within the community of Penryn Street, Redruth. She explained that Merton, who had previously sought to resign his bardship, was deeply concerned about the potential negative impact of the case on his reputation and the organization he was associated with. Martin stated, “He had never wanted that particular organisation to be brought into any sort of disrepute because of his association with it.”
The court also heard disturbing details about Merton’s interactions with the victims. It was revealed that he engaged in games with the girls that escalated into sexual assaults. Additionally, he showed some of them a pornographic version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, further illustrating the sinister nature of his actions. Merton’s history includes a police caution for accessing child abuse images online, and he claimed that he was researching Rasputin for a writing project when he inadvertently entered his credit card details into a website called Children of God.
Throughout the trial, Merton maintained his innocence, asserting that the girls were lying for financial gain. However, the jury found the evidence compelling enough to convict him on multiple counts. He was found guilty of nine counts of indecently assaulting one girl, five counts of indecency with her, and additional counts involving other victims. The court also imposed a sexual offences prevention order and mandated that Merton be registered on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
Judge Harvey Clark concluded the sentencing by condemning Merton’s actions, describing his conduct as truly appalling and highlighting the dark, depraved side of his personality. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and the devastating impact of abuse by those who are trusted and respected within their communities.
Leslie Merton, aged 70, was convicted at Truro Crown Court on a Friday after a jury found him guilty of 20 separate counts, including indecent assault and acts of indecency with minors. His conviction relates to the abuse of five young girls, whose identities are protected by law, over a period from 1983 to 2004. The court heard that these girls, aged between five and fifteen at the time, endured a series of disturbing and depraved acts at the hands of Merton.
According to court proceedings, Merton subjected the victims to a range of manipulative and abusive behaviors. Some of the girls were coerced into watching pornography, while others were given alcohol and special privileges in exchange for performing sexual acts. These acts, which took place over a span of more than twenty years, reveal a pattern of predatory behavior that has left a lasting scar on the victims and the community.
During the sentencing on Wednesday, Judge Christopher Harvey Clark, QC, expressed his profound disappointment and sadness over the case. He acknowledged Merton’s status as a respected member of the Cornish community, highlighting his contributions to local literature and culture. The judge noted that Merton was made a bard in 2004 by the Cornish Gorsedh, an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Cornish language, literature, and cultural traditions.
Defense solicitor Joanna Martin spoke on behalf of Merton, emphasizing his standing within the community of Penryn Street, Redruth. She explained that Merton, who had previously sought to resign his bardship, was deeply concerned about the potential negative impact of the case on his reputation and the organization he was associated with. Martin stated, “He had never wanted that particular organisation to be brought into any sort of disrepute because of his association with it.”
The court also heard disturbing details about Merton’s interactions with the victims. It was revealed that he engaged in games with the girls that escalated into sexual assaults. Additionally, he showed some of them a pornographic version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, further illustrating the sinister nature of his actions. Merton’s history includes a police caution for accessing child abuse images online, and he claimed that he was researching Rasputin for a writing project when he inadvertently entered his credit card details into a website called Children of God.
Throughout the trial, Merton maintained his innocence, asserting that the girls were lying for financial gain. However, the jury found the evidence compelling enough to convict him on multiple counts. He was found guilty of nine counts of indecently assaulting one girl, five counts of indecency with her, and additional counts involving other victims. The court also imposed a sexual offences prevention order and mandated that Merton be registered on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
Judge Harvey Clark concluded the sentencing by condemning Merton’s actions, describing his conduct as truly appalling and highlighting the dark, depraved side of his personality. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and the devastating impact of abuse by those who are trusted and respected within their communities.