Martyn Paul Gilleard

Martyn Paul Gilleard, a 49-year-old convicted paedophile and terrorist, appeared at Leeds Crown Court where he was handed a new prison sentence of more than seven years. This sentencing follows the discovery of bomb-making notes at his flat in Leeds, marking a continuation of his criminal history involving extreme and dangerous activities.

Gilleard was first imprisoned in 2008 after police raided his home in East Yorkshire. During that investigation, officers uncovered homemade bombs along with tens of thousands of child-abuse images, highlighting his deep involvement in paedophilic offences and terrorism. The court heard details of how these materials were stored, underscoring the severity of his actions at the time.

In the recent case, authorities found additional evidence of his ongoing terrorist inclinations through the bomb-making notes, prompting this extended incarceration. The judge emphasised the ongoing threat Gilleard posed to public safety, given his history of combining sexual offences against children with violent extremism. West Yorkshire Police played a key role in the investigation, leading to his arrest and prosecution.

This sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the long-term monitoring required for individuals with such convictions. Gilleard must now serve the full term, with no early release provisions mentioned in the proceedings.