JOHN TAYLOR BRAMLEY LEEDS CHILD KILLER AND SEX OFFENDER JAILED FOR LIFE AGAIN

In October 2018, the criminal case against John Taylor, a man with a long history of violent and sexual offenses in the Leeds area, took a significant turn as he was once again sentenced to life imprisonment. This time, the court found him guilty of a series of heinous sex attacks spanning nearly two decades, from 1977 to 1996, with the youngest victim being only seven years old.

John Taylor, aged 62 at the time of sentencing, was already serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of 16-year-old schoolgirl Leanne Tiernan in 2000. The details of her murder shocked the nation; Taylor had abducted her from a woodland path in Bramley, Leeds, sexually assaulted her, and then murdered her. Her body was discovered nine months later in Lindley Woods, near Otley, after Taylor had stored her in a freezer at his home in Cockshott Drive, Bramley, as a disturbing trophy before dumping her in the woods.

Leeds Crown Court heard harrowing evidence of Taylor’s extensive history of sexual violence. The judge, Robin Mairs, described his crimes as a “20-year campaign of rape and sexual assaults against children and women, fueled by a sadistic desire to inflict pain for sexual gratification.” Taylor, who appeared via video link, showed no visible emotion as prosecutors detailed the shocking nature of his offenses, which included assaults on a young girl aged just seven, and a woman who was pregnant at the time, both of which were witnessed by her children.

The first known attack occurred on December 22, 1977, when a 19-year-old woman was walking to work in Leeds. Taylor, armed with a knife, ambushed her from behind, threatened her with the weapon, and then raped her. He faced charges of rape, attempted buggery, and possession of an offensive weapon, specifically a knife. The attack marked the beginning of a pattern of violent sexual offenses that would span over two decades.

Another victim, a 27-year-old woman, was assaulted in September 1982 while walking in the woods with her three young children. Taylor approached her, held a knife to her throat, and demanded oral sex. He was charged with attempted indecent assault and possession of a knife. A third victim, a seven-year-old girl, was kidnapped and indecently assaulted in early 1984. Taylor, who was married with two children, lured her by pretending to help find her lost dog after she went out to buy bread. He then took her to a secluded spot, tied her to a drainpipe, and committed a sexual act before walking her home and fleeing.

In July 1987, a 26-year-old woman cycling to work was attacked by Taylor on a footpath. He dragged her to the ground, breaking her nose, and then, at knifepoint, stabbed her twice and raped her. These assaults were characterized by extreme violence and callousness, with Judge Mairs emphasizing the sadistic nature of Taylor’s actions, driven by a desire to maximize the suffering of his victims.

Prosecutor Stephen Wood highlighted Taylor’s long-standing violent tendencies, noting that his crimes demonstrated a pattern of escalating violence and sadism. Victims’ impact statements revealed the profound and lasting trauma inflicted by Taylor. One woman, who was just 19 at the time of her attack, said, “When evil touches you there’s no way back to who you were. I died that day.” Another mother, walking with her children in woodland, recounted how Taylor had threatened her with a knife and demanded a sex act, leaving her with a sense of ongoing fear and dread.

Further emotional testimonies described the guilt and horror felt by victims who knew Taylor’s other crimes, including the murder of Leanne Tiernan. Her parents, Michael Tiernan and Sharon Hawkhead, were devastated but relieved that Taylor was finally held accountable for his past offenses. The case also shed light on Taylor’s disturbing obsession with animals, as police found numerous dead animals, including ferrets and dogs, at his home during the investigation.

Leanne Tiernan’s tragic story remains one of the most harrowing aspects of Taylor’s criminal history. She was abducted on November 26, 2000, while shopping in Leeds city center. Taylor, lurking in Lindley Woods, seized her as she walked along Houghley Hill, an unlit wooded path. He forced her back to his house, tied her hands, blindfolded her, and subjected her to a sexual assault before strangling her with a scarf and a plastic ligature. Her body was later found buried in a shallow grave, wrapped in plastic and a duvet cover, with her hands tied and her neck bound with cable ties and a scarf.

The investigation into her disappearance was extensive, involving over 10,000 homes visited, searches of drains, and forensic analysis. Her funeral was held on September 28, 2001, near her home in Bramley, attended by her family and friends. The case against Taylor was built on forensic evidence, including DNA analysis of hair found on her body, which matched Taylor’s profile. His arrest on October 16, 2001, led to a detailed search of his home, where police uncovered animal skeletons and evidence linking him to the crime.

Taylor’s trial in 2002 revealed that he only admitted to abducting Leanne but claimed her death was accidental, believing she had fallen and hit her head. However, forensic evidence contradicted his account, and the judge concluded that Taylor had kept her body in his freezer for months, possibly as a trophy or to avoid detection, before burying her.

On July 8, 2002, Taylor pleaded guilty to her kidnap and murder, receiving two life sentences. The court recommended a minimum of 20 years before parole could be considered, but subsequent rulings increased this to 30 years, meaning Taylor would most likely remain incarcerated until at least 2031. His case was further complicated by additional convictions for rapes committed in the late 1980s, which resulted in life sentences without parole for at least 30 years.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Taylor’s background and disturbing fantasies came to light, including claims from former partners about his sadistic tendencies and desire for control. The police also linked him to other unsolved cases, including the 1992 murder of Yvonne Fitt and disappearances of Lindsey Jo Rimer and Deborah Wood.

In summary, John Taylor’s criminal history in Leeds is marked by extreme violence, sadism, and a pattern of escalating sexual offenses. His crimes have left a lasting scar on the community, and his continued imprisonment is seen as a necessary measure to protect the public from further harm.