Paedophile groomed teen to sexually assault brother

A paedophile who groomed a teenage boy to take part in sexual acts with his own brother has been jailed.

Leon Richardson, of Mill Road, Cambridge, began speaking to the schoolboy through social media on 10 October.

The teenager replied to Richardson and the messages started off innocent, but after a few days became sexual.

Richardson, 22, sent sexually explicit images and videos of himself to the boy and asked him to do the same, to which the boy obliged.

He also persuaded the boy to take part in sexual acts with his own brother, who was younger than him. These acts were recorded and sent to Richardson.

Richardson went on to request to meet the teenager under the guise of teaching him to play the guitar.

The sexual messages continued for a few months, until 29 December, but were found after the boy’s parents checked his phone after he had become withdrawn and secretive with the device.

After realising the conversations had been discovered Richardson visited Parkside Police Station, in Cambridge, and admitted the offences.

In police interview Richardson again admitted the crimes and said he wanted help.

At Cambridge Crown Court on 29 January, Richardson admitted charges including:

 

• Engaging in sexual communication with a child
• Causing a child aged 13 to 15 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity
• Causing or inciting a boy under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Causing a boy aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity

 

He was sentenced at the same court today (4 April) where he was handed five years and four months in prison, with an extra three years on licence.

Richardson was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), to monitor future offending, which was ordered to run indefinitely. He must sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DC Kev Foxcroft, from the force’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), said: “We will do everything in our power to protect children from predators like Richardson and, as this case demonstrates, bring them to justice for their actions.

“Richardson’s behaviour was utterly disgusting. Not only did he groom one child but also persuaded that child to perform sexual acts on his younger brother, film and share them.

“Phones and social media mean children can be vulnerable to those who prey on their innocence and exploit their trust.

“I would like to praise the parents in this case who realised when something wasn’t quite right, and urge other parents and carers to speak to their children about online safety and consider exactly who they are communicating with.”

For more information and advice about child abuse, including online grooming, visit the force’s dedicated web page.

Anyone who is concerned someone may have been convicted of a sex offence, and could be posing a risk to a child, can apply for disclosure information through Sarah’s Law.

Anyone who looks out for the welfare of a child can make an enquiry. This can include parents, carers, guardians, extended family, friends and neighbours.