Leon Latham

Leon Latham, a 19-year-old from Coronation Street, Carlin How, east Cleveland, was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court for two brutal attacks involving rape on a young woman. The court heard how Latham lashed out at his victim with physical violence before carrying out the violent rapes, leaving her terrified to leave her home unless accompanied by someone. In a victim impact statement, she described suffering flashbacks and nightmares, needing her dog to settle her, and becoming frightened of the dark.

Judge Richard Bennett sentenced the teenager to four years in a young offenders’ institute, noting the use of physical violence on two occasions, including a rape on Christmas Day after taking a pill that altered his mood and led to paranoia. Robert Mochrie, mitigating, highlighted Latham's extremely low IQ and urged a non-custodial sentence, but the judge proceeded with custody. Latham was required to sign on the sex offenders’ register for life.

The case was covered by The Northern Echo, with details from the trial at Teesside Crown Court, emphasising the profound impact on the victim.