HORSHAM PAEDOPHILE CARL LESLIE SENTENCED FOR 41 SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILDREN

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Horsham, West Sussex, Carl Leslie, a 27-year-old man, has been sentenced to an indeterminate term at Hove Crown Court after admitting to a series of heinous sexual offences involving minors. The case, which came to light following a police investigation, revealed a pattern of systematic grooming and exploitation carried out by Leslie over an extended period.

Leslie, who resides on Talbot Lane in Horsham, was found to have sexually abused three young boys, all of whom were aged 12 or 13 at the time of the abuse. The investigation uncovered that Leslie had engaged in inappropriate sexual messaging with a 15-year-old girl he met through an online gaming platform. The disturbing details emerged during police interviews and court proceedings, painting a picture of a man who used digital platforms to target vulnerable minors.

On April 30 of the previous year, authorities seized Leslie’s computer, which contained approximately 14,000 indecent images of children. Forensic analysis revealed that some of these images had been taken in Leslie’s own bedroom, indicating a disturbing level of access and familiarity with the victims. The chat logs and digital evidence demonstrated that Leslie had been involved in sexual contact with two boys, aged just 12 and 13 at the start of the abuse. One of the boys disclosed that Leslie had performed sexual acts on him every other day over a period of approximately 18 months. The other boy reported similar abuse, stating that Leslie had warned him not to tell anyone because Leslie had previously served time in prison.

While the court acknowledged that Leslie did not have physical contact with a third boy, also aged 12, he had met him online through the gaming site. This boy was coerced into sending sexual photographs of himself to Leslie, further illustrating the predatory behavior. The court described Leslie’s actions as “systematic grooming,” emphasizing the danger he posed to young boys.

Leslie’s criminal record includes prior convictions for sexually assaulting a child and possessing indecent images of children, which underscored the seriousness of his current offences. Judge David Rennie stated that Leslie was “dangerous to young boys,” and sentenced him to a minimum of six and a half years in prison. Additionally, Leslie was ordered to remain on the sex offenders register for life. He pleaded guilty last month to multiple charges, including making and possessing indecent images of children, as well as engaging in sexual activity with minors under the age of 13 and 16, and causing a child under 16 to participate in sexual acts.

The case has sent a stark warning about the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from predators like Carl Leslie in the Horsham community and beyond.