LIAM GANDZ AND SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENSES IN LEEDS
A disturbing case has emerged involving a teenage boy who was targeted by Liam Gandz, a 19-year-old man from Leeds, in a series of heinous sexual crimes.The incident came to light after the victim received a chilling video via Snapchat, which depicted him being sexually assaulted in a hotel room.
The video was sent by Gandz, who was only 16 years old at the time, during August 2020.
The footage was initially shared with another individual before it eventually circulated to the victim himself.
Liam Gandz, residing in Brayton Square, Leeds, appeared before Leeds Crown Court to face serious charges including sexual assault, the rape of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and three counts of making indecent images of a child.
The latter charges involved an eight-year-old boy whom Gandz sexually assaulted and raped, with the assault also being recorded on video.
During the court proceedings on Thursday, it was revealed that Gandz was recorded saying, "FFS he's waking up," as he filmed the disturbing attack.
Prosecutor Philip Standfast explained that on September 14, 2020, the 16-year-old victim received a Snapchat message containing an indecent video.
Recognizing himself in the footage, he saw that the sexual acts had been committed against him while he was asleep, and he realized that Gandz had filmed the assault.
The victim promptly informed his mother, who then contacted the police.
The police investigation led to the police seizing Gandz's phone, which contained the videos and still images of the offenses.
It was also discovered that Gandz had sent these images to an online contact operating under an unidentified female profile.
Further examination of Gandz's phone revealed multiple indecent images categorized under different levels of severity (A, B, and C).
Despite making no comment during police interviews, Gandz later pleaded guilty at the Magistrates' Court to the charges against him.
The court also heard from the parents of the eight-year-old victim, who provided a victim impact statement.
They described how the offenses have profoundly affected their child's life, causing significant psychological harm and shattering his sense of safety.
The parents expressed feelings of guilt for not being able to protect their son from harm.
In mitigation, Catherine Silverton presented reports including three Child in Need assessments, a medical report, and a pre-sentence report.
She emphasized that Gandz was deeply remorseful, describing him as "disgusted in himself." She noted that nearly three years had passed since the offenses were committed and highlighted that Gandz was only 16 years old at the time, just over four months past his sixteenth birthday.
Silverton also pointed out that Gandz intended to plead guilty at the earliest opportunity and that there had been an unreasonable delay in the case, but emphasized that Gandz had no prior convictions.
The judge, His Honour Judge Stubbs KC, sentenced Gandz to four and a half years in a Young Offenders' Institution.
The judge expressed concern over Gandz's lack of acceptance of his wrongdoing, stating that his messages clearly indicated awareness of the wrongfulness of his actions.
The judge criticized Gandz's attitude, noting his dismissive behavior when confronted with the severity of his crimes, including the rape of an eight-year-old.
Furthermore, Gandz was made the subject of a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and was ordered to be on the Sex Offenders' Register for life, reflecting the serious nature of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.
