GARY LEEMING'S SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE CASE IN STOCKTON: JUDGE CRITICIZED FOR LENIENT SENTENCE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Stockton community, Gary Leeming, a man with a history of religious devotion, was convicted of abusing a young girl in the 1990s. The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, expressed her relief after Leeming was finally sentenced to serve time in prison, bringing a measure of justice to her long-standing ordeal.

The incident dates back to the 1990s when Leeming, then 34 years old and residing on Seaton Close in Stockton, engaged in sexual acts with a 12-year-old girl. The abuse reportedly took place twice, once within the confines of a church building and on another occasion, with Leeming instructing the girl not to tell her parents. The girl was under the age of 13 at the time, making the acts particularly egregious under the law.

Leeming’s life after the abuse appeared to follow a religious and seemingly upright path. He told his future wife that he was still a virgin, married her, and fathered four children. However, his secret was eventually exposed when he confided in his wife about having had sex before their marriage. This revelation led to a meeting where Leeming apologized to his victim, but she chose to report the matter to the police. Leeming later admitted to the offences, claiming that the girl had consented and that he believed she was 14 at the time.

He faced two counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 at Teesside Crown Court. Despite the severity of the charges, Leeming was sentenced to only two years in prison, suspended for the duration. The sentence sparked outrage, especially from the victim, who felt it was grossly inadequate given the nature of his crimes. The trial judge had cited Leeming’s previously clean record and his apology as reasons for the leniency, describing the case as “exceptional.”

Following the sentencing, the victim, unable to be named publicly, expressed her feelings outside the Court of Appeal in London. She stated, “I just feel relieved and I can now have closure for what has happened.” Her words underscored the emotional toll the case had taken on her.

The case drew the attention of the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve QC, who was dissatisfied with the sentence. Brian Altman QC, representing the Attorney General, argued that the trial judge had overestimated Leeming’s mitigation and failed to adequately consider the impact on the victim. Despite Leeming’s lawyers claiming that he had already suffered significant personal losses, including the loss of his wife and children due to his conviction, the Court of Appeal was not convinced.

In a formal judgment, Lord Judge, sitting alongside Mr Justice Holman and Mr Justice Openshaw, declared that the original sentence was “unduly lenient” and “seriously lenient.” The court emphasized that a sentence must not only be lenient but also unreasonably low to be considered unduly so. The judges concluded that the circumstances of the case did not justify a suspended sentence and that Leeming should serve a prison term.

Ultimately, the Court of Appeal increased Leeming’s sentence, reaffirming the importance of appropriate punishment in cases involving child abuse. The case serves as a stark reminder of the legal system’s ongoing efforts to ensure that offenders are held accountable and that justice is served for victims of such heinous crimes in Stockton and beyond.