BATLEY MAN MARTIN MAGNALL AND HOLLIE LOFTUS INVOLVED IN CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSES IN CHAPEL ALLERTON

In a disturbing series of criminal acts, Martin Magnall, a 44-year-old resident of Wards Hill Court, Batley, has been convicted and sentenced for multiple serious offenses involving the sexual abuse of minors and the possession of indecent images. The crimes took place in the Chapel Allerton area, a neighborhood in Leeds, and involved heinous acts that have shocked the local community and prompted a strong legal response.

According to court proceedings, Magnall was found guilty of assaulting two young girls in Chapel Allerton. The first incident occurred on May 20, 2019, when he sexually molested an 11-year-old girl on a public street. The second incident involved a 15-year-old girl, whom he assaulted sexually on November 27, 2019. Remarkably, Magnall committed a second sexual assault against the same 15-year-old girl just 11 days after the initial incident. The victim later identified Magnall during a police identity parade, confirming his involvement in the assaults.

Further investigations revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior. When police officers executed a search warrant at Magnall’s residence in December 2019, they seized a laptop, a mobile phone, and seven USB drives. The forensic analysis of these devices uncovered a staggering collection of over 1,600 indecent images of children, some of which dated back to 2012 and 2013. Among these images, police discovered 250 photographs depicting children as young as seven, taken in a voyeuristic manner using a Sony Xperia phone. Additionally, two images found on a laptop were identified as 'upskirting' photographs of a girl under the age of ten, taken in 2019.

Prosecutor Christopher Dunn outlined the extent of Magnall’s criminal conduct, stating that he had admitted to multiple charges, including assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, sexual assault of the 15-year-old victim, voyeurism, making indecent images of children, and possession of prohibited images. The court also heard that Magnall had taken and stored images of children in a voyeuristic context, highlighting the severity of his offenses.

Hollie Loftus, aged 33 and residing on Cross Park Street, Batley, was also implicated in these crimes. She pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent photographs of children and one charge of possessing prohibited images. Her involvement appears to be linked to the possession and creation of indecent images, which she admitted during proceedings.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC delivered the sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of Magnall’s sexual attraction to young girls. He sentenced Magnall to 22 months in prison and imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which restricts him from having unsupervised contact with children and includes other protective measures. Loftus received an 18-month community order, which includes 30 days of rehabilitation activities and a requirement to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

The court’s verdict underscores the serious nature of these offenses and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and abuse in the Leeds area, particularly in neighborhoods like Chapel Allerton and Batley, where these crimes took place.