NICHOLAS (LEON) MCLEAVEY, LEICESTER: PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED FOR ABUSE OF FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In June 2021, Nicholas (Leon) McLeavey, a Leicester man, was sentenced for sexually abusing a five-year-old girl.The court heard that McLeavey, aged 51 and formerly residing in Netherhall, Leicester, was convicted by a Leicester Crown Court jury of three counts of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
McLeavey, who had previously denied the charges, required the young victim to give evidence during the trial.
Prosecutor Siward James-Moore explained that the offences involved indecent touching and occurred when the girl was between five and six years old.
At that time, the defendant, who had prior convictions for sex offences, was in his late 40s.
The girl recounted in a recorded video statement that the last assault involved McLeavey pushing and grabbing her, saying, "He was pushing me and grabbing me." She managed to stop him by kicking him and moving away.
During sentencing, Judge Keith Raynor referenced a statement from the victim’s mother, describing the emotional stress and pressure her daughter endured from not being believed, and how the abuse had affected the child's life.
The judge noted that the abuse involved some planning, as McLeavey had to ensure "the coast was clear" before carrying out the acts.
The court also reviewed McLeavey’s previous sex offences from the late 1990s, which included indecent exposure, indecent assault, and inciting a 10-year-old girl to commit gross indecency.
Judge Raynor acknowledged that these convictions, though old, were relevant.
He stated, "I accept your earlier convictions — which are relevant — were a long time ago.
But for one of those offences you were given a 12-month prison sentence, and before that you had a probation order that was allowed to continue." As a result, McLeavey was sentenced to eight years in prison.
He was also placed on a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order preventing any contact with the witnesses involved, both for a duration of ten years.
Additionally, his details will be held on the sex offender register for life.
