STEVE WHITELEY OF LEEDS JAILED FOR SECRET VIDEO AND SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING YOUNG GIRLS
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community in Leeds, police uncovered a series of deeply troubling crimes committed by Steven Whiteley, a man with a long history of sexual offenses.The investigation was sparked by a complaint from a 13-year-old girl who visited Whiteley's residence earlier this year.
During her visit, she alleged that Whiteley had engaged in inappropriate behavior, including biting her on the bottom over her clothing after he had given her some money for making him a cup of tea.
The girl recounted that she had dropped the money and bent over to pick it up when Whiteley grabbed her by the waist, making a grunting sound, which further alarmed her.
Following this incident, authorities conducted a thorough search of Whiteley's home in Leeds.
During their investigation, officers discovered a hidden video tape in his video machine.
The footage, recorded several years earlier, depicted Whiteley secretly filming a young girl in his bedroom as she was changing clothes and using the bathroom.
The girl in the footage was identified by her clothing and jewelry, which led her to estimate that she was around 14 or 15 years old at the time of filming.
She was completely unaware that she had been recorded in such a private and invasive manner.
These revelations came to light amid the ongoing investigation into Whiteley's conduct.
The police confirmed that the video contained footage of the girl on three separate occasions, highlighting a pattern of voyeuristic behavior.
The case took a serious turn given Whiteley's prior criminal record.
Prosecutor Michael Smith told Leeds Crown Court that Whiteley was already under a supervision order at the time of these offenses, due to a previous sexual assault on a woman in a shop.
His criminal history includes two convictions for rape, one dating back to 1980 when he assaulted a 17-year-old girl in a rural area, and another in 1992 involving rape, attempted rape, and gross indecency with an 11-year-old girl.
Whiteley, aged 47 and described as having no fixed address, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of voyeurism and one count of sexual activity with a child.
The court heard that his actions demonstrated a pattern of predatory behavior and a troubling inability to control his impulses.
Judge Paul Hoffman sentenced Whiteley to an indeterminate term of imprisonment for public protection, emphasizing the severity of his sexual problems.
The judge ordered that Whiteley serve a minimum of 539 days in custody, but warned that he would only be released when the Parole Board deemed it safe to do so.
Defense lawyer Jonathan Devlin acknowledged Whiteley's extensive criminal record but argued that the recent offenses were of a lesser nature, describing them as being on the lowest scale of severity.
The case has raised serious concerns about public safety and the ongoing risks posed by individuals with such entrenched sexual issues, especially those with a history of offending against minors.
