PAUL STEAD, LEEDS FISHING COACH AND PREDATOR, SENTENCED FOR ABUSING YOUNG BOYS IN LEEDS
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Leeds, Paul Stead, a 45-year-old fishing coach, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offences committed against young boys under his care.The crimes, which spanned over a decade, involved the exploitation of vulnerable children during their fishing outings and at his residence in Cross Gates.
The Leeds Crown Court heard that Stead was convicted of a total of 23 sex offences, involving seven different victims, with the abuse dating back to the 1990s.
The jury took just over six hours to deliberate before returning a guilty verdict on 17 counts of indecent assault and seven counts of indecency with a child.
The court was told that Stead used his position within a local fishing club, where he was responsible for overseeing the junior section, to carry out his predatory acts.
According to court proceedings, Stead would target young boys while they were out fishing along the riverbanks in Leeds, subjecting them to sexual abuse.
Additional abuse was carried out at his home in Cross Gates, where he would give the victims alcohol and show them pornographic films, further corrupting and endangering their well-being.
The court heard that Stead did everything possible to discredit some of his victims when they reported his conduct to the club’s chairman and committee, attempting to undermine their credibility and silence their complaints.
One of the victims, who confronted Stead at his fishing tackle shop in an effort to warn him to cease his inappropriate behavior, was threatened with legal action by Stead in 2002.
Despite this, Stead continued to work with young anglers until more victims came forward in 2011 and 2012, prompting the authorities to take action.
Judge Tom Bayliss, QC, sentenced Stead, stating, “You abused your position, corrupted these children.
You abused these children.
What you did to them will live with them for the rest of their lives.” The judge’s words underscored the severity of the crimes and the lasting impact on the victims.
Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Lawrence Bone of the Leeds District Child Safeguarding Unit expressed his thoughts on the case.
He emphasized that Stead exploited his trustworthiness over a long period for his own sexual gratification.
DI Bone also praised the victims for their bravery in coming forward and highlighted the importance of thorough investigations, regardless of how much time has passed since the offences occurred.
He reaffirmed the commitment of law enforcement to protect children and bring offenders like Stead to justice, ensuring that such predatory behavior is met with appropriate consequences.
