Lee Ward

On 4 February 2023, Lee Ward, a 42-year-old homeless man from Telford, Shropshire, initiated contact with a vulnerable 16-year-old girl through online chatting. Despite knowing her age, Ward persuaded the girl to meet him at a secluded car park stairwell, where he carried out a sustained sexual assault, ignoring her repeated pleas to stop.

The incident was reported to West Mercia Police, leading to Ward's arrest. In October 2024, a jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court convicted him of four counts of sexual assault, assault by penetration, and attempting to cause a person to engage in sexual activity. The trial highlighted the predatory nature of Ward's actions, with the victim providing credible testimony that the jury believed.

On Friday, 29 November 2024, at Stafford Crown Court, Judge Laura Hobson KC, who had presided over the trial, sentenced Ward to six and a half years' imprisonment. Addressing Ward directly, the judge stated: "I heard the trial of the case and the jury clearly believed the account of your victim. She told you she was 16 so you knew she was much younger than you." Judge Hobson described the victim as 'easy prey' to the homeless pervert, underscoring the exploitation of her vulnerability.

The case was covered by the Shropshire Star, which reported on the sentencing and the details of the assault. West Mercia Police, responsible for the Telford area, investigated the matter, confirming the location and circumstances of the crime within the West Midlands region of England.