Leon Richardson

Leon Richardson, a 22-year-old resident of Mill Road in Cambridge, was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court for a series of child sexual exploitation offences. The case, investigated by Cambridgeshire Constabulary's Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), came to light after the teenage victim's parents discovered incriminating messages on his phone.

The grooming began on 10 October, when Richardson initiated contact with the schoolboy through social media. Initially, the conversations were innocuous, but they quickly escalated to sexual content within days. Richardson sent explicit images and videos of himself to the boy and requested reciprocation, which the teenager provided. Further, Richardson manipulated the boy into performing sexual acts with his younger brother, recording these acts and sending the footage to Richardson.

Richardson attempted to meet the teenager in person, pretexting it as a guitar lesson, while the sexual messaging persisted until 29 December. The boy's parents, noticing his withdrawal and secretive behaviour with his phone, checked the device and uncovered the communications. Upon learning of the discovery, Richardson voluntarily attended Parkside Police Station in Cambridge, where he admitted to the offences during an interview, expressing a desire for help.

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

Richardson pleaded guilty to these charges at Cambridge Crown Court on 29 January. On 4 April, he received a custodial sentence of five years and four months, followed by three years on licence. Additionally, an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was imposed to monitor potential future offending, and he was required to register on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DC Kev Foxcroft from POLIT commented on the case, stating: “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.” The investigation highlighted the vulnerabilities posed by social media, with Foxcroft praising the parents' vigilance and urging others to discuss online safety with children. The case was reported by the Hunts Post, drawing on details from Cambridgeshire Constabulary.