LEEDS CITY COUNCIL WORKER DIES DURING CHILD ABUSE TRIAL
A council worker who admitted accessing confidential social services records has died during his trial for sexual offences against a child, it has emerged.Stephen Gregson, 49, pleaded guilty to obtaining personal details while working for Leeds City Council.
He was found dead during his trial at Leeds Crown Court, where he had denied three offences involving a 15-year-old girl, but admitted possessing more than 180 indecent images of children.
A council spokesperson said, at the time of his death, Gregson had been suspended and later resigned, and that they had undertaken a "thorough review" of security arrangements and made changes following the data breach.
An inquest revealed he was found dead in St John's Cemetery in Leeds on 19 November.
He was scheduled to stand trial on charges of causing sexual activity with a minor, facilitating sexual exploitation, and sexual assault, which he denied.
The CPS confirmed he pleaded guilty to making 182 images of indecent photographs of children and facilitating a child's sexual exploitation.
Gregson had worked at Leeds council from 2010 until May 2024.
The data breach occurred "on or before" 26 April last year, with the sex offences taking place in April.
The breach prompted the council to notify affected families, ensuring them there was no immediate risk.
The council immediately suspended Gregson following his arrest and cooperated with police investigations, updating security measures accordingly.
