RAYMOND LEYLAND FROM CHORLTON, MANCHESTER, CONVICTED OF CHILD SEX OFFENCES AFTER PREYING ON YOUNG GIRL

In August 2018, a disturbing case emerged involving Raymond Leyland, a man from Chorlton, Manchester, who was convicted of heinous crimes against a young girl. Leyland, aged 26 and without a fixed residence, had recently been released from prison after serving nearly two years for previous child sex offences. His release came in September 2017, under strict licensing conditions that prohibited any contact with minors.

Despite these restrictions, Leyland managed to establish a relationship with a local couple in Manchester, a connection that would soon lead to a series of tragic events. Unaware of Leyland’s criminal past, the couple befriended him, and he quickly formed a bond with their seven-year-old daughter. Over the following months, Leyland exploited this trust, engaging in sexual abuse of the young girl when her parents were not present or paying attention.

At the time, Leyland was residing in Chorlton, having been released from incarceration following a conviction for child sex offences in 2015. His parole conditions explicitly forbade him from contacting children, yet he violated these terms repeatedly. During this period, he manipulated the young girl, instructing her to keep the abuse a secret. The girl, however, sensed that something was wrong and showed remarkable bravery by confiding in her mother about the abuse.

The case came to light when the girl disclosed the abuse, leading to an investigation that uncovered the full extent of Leyland’s misconduct. He was subsequently charged and brought to trial. The Manchester Crown Court found Leyland guilty of multiple serious offences, including sexually assaulting a child, possessing indecent images, and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

Following his conviction, Leyland was sentenced to eight years in prison. His release last year was conditional upon him residing in a bail hostel within the Chorlton area, where he continued to pose a danger to the community. The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by individuals with a history of child sexual offences, especially those who breach the conditions of their release and reoffend. The court’s verdict underscores the importance of vigilance and strict enforcement of parole conditions to protect vulnerable children from predators like Raymond Leyland.