GEORGE LEEDER SENT TO PRISON IN CROMER FOR SEXUAL INNUENDOS WITH SCHOOLGIRL

In October 2014, a young man from Cromer named Geoffrey Leeder was sentenced to a 16-month prison term after being found guilty of attempting to solicit sexual acts from a minor. The incident involved a series of inappropriate messages sent to a 14-year-old girl, which were revealed during a court hearing at Norwich Crown Court.

Prosecutor Martin Ivory detailed that Leeder, aged 24 and residing on Cadogan Road in Cromer, engaged in a persistent campaign of sending explicit text messages and Facebook communications over a period of six weeks, beginning in February of that year. These messages included explicit requests for sexual activity and encouragement for the girl to send a semi-nude photograph of herself, which she ultimately did. The court heard that Leeder's actions constituted a clear attempt to incite a minor into sexual acts, leading to his guilty plea on two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

During the proceedings, Leeder’s defense attorney, Michael Clare, argued that the interactions were consensual phone sex, emphasizing that both parties willingly participated. Clare suggested that the likelihood of any actual physical encounter was minimal, describing Leeder as “immature” for his age and noting that he had been undergoing treatment for mental health issues, including a course of anti-depressants. The defense also highlighted that Leeder had previously experimented with recreational drugs and that he had received support from his family, including four weeks of counseling since the incident.

Leeder’s father, Geoffrey Leeder senior, spoke about the impact the case had on his son, describing him as “very embarrassed, very regretful,” and “humbled” by the experience. He expressed that the incident had prompted his son to reflect deeply and take responsibility, stating, “It’s made him stop and think. Something that was a laugh had got so out of hand. He’s actually taken responsibility and sought help. We’ve spent more time with him and he’s spent time with us.”

Judge Nicholas Coleman, presiding over the case, addressed Leeder directly during sentencing. He emphasized that Leeder was fully aware of the girl’s age and that the inappropriate exchanges had persisted over a significant period. The judge pointed out that Leeder derived a disturbing sense of pleasure from the messages and was aware of the impropriety, as he repeatedly urged the girl to delete their conversations. While the girl believed she was in control of the situation, the judge clarified that the legal threshold for custody had been crossed.

As a result of his actions, Geoffrey Leeder was sentenced to 16 months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender, a measure intended to monitor and prevent further offenses. The case highlights the serious consequences of online misconduct involving minors and underscores the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from exploitation.