DANGEROUS HOCKLEY PAEDOPHILE BROTHERS DAVID AND JAMES LENCH SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Hockley, two brothers, David Lench, aged 28, and James Lench, aged 25, have been sentenced to a combined total of 24 years in prison for their heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of an eight-year-old boy. The offences, which spanned from 2003 to 2005, were uncovered after a series of investigations and court proceedings that revealed the extent of their depravity.

David Lench, a chef by profession, and his brother James, who previously served as a Scout leader, were found guilty in May of 18 counts of sexual abuse against the young victim. The court heard that both men had repeatedly assaulted the boy, with their crimes involving threats and violence, including the use of knives to intimidate their victim. The severity of their actions was underscored by the fact that the assaults did not occur simultaneously but were carried out separately, yet both inflicted similar trauma on the child.

Further complicating the case, the court learned that James Lench was already serving a nine-year prison sentence for abusing three other children between 2009 and 2010. He was released on licence but was returned to custody after being caught visiting a swimming pool, indicating ongoing risky behavior. Meanwhile, David Lench had a prior conviction in 2015 for downloading highly disturbing Category A images of children. During that investigation, authorities discovered that he had conducted highly disturbing online searches, including videos depicting violent rape of children as young as one year old. Investigators also found that he had searched for terms such as “how to abduct someone,” “good rope,” and “hunting knives,” on the dark web, raising serious concerns about his potential for future harm.

The case took a further turn when James Lench wrote a letter claiming to have been abused by his brother, which led police to locate and identify the young victim. During the trial at Southend Crown Court, it was revealed that the brothers had never assaulted the boy at the same time but had carried out similar acts of abuse, often threatening him with knives to maintain control. James Lench later claimed that the letter was false and that he had not been abused by his brother, though the court found the evidence against both men compelling.

Judge Gerard Pounder described the offences as “nasty” and emphasized that both brothers pose a significant ongoing danger to children. Probation reports supported this assessment, indicating that they would remain a threat even after serving their sentences. As a result, David Lench was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while James Lench received a sentence of ten years and four months. Both men will be subject to extended licence periods upon their release, ensuring continued supervision and monitoring to protect potential future victims from their predatory behavior.