LEE SULLIVAN JAILED IN HARPERHEY FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 14-YEAR-OLD SCHOOLGIRL

In a case that has drawn significant attention in the Harpurhey community, Lee Sullivan, aged 44, has been sentenced to a year in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl at a bus stop in Harpurhey. The incident, which occurred earlier this year, was preceded by a series of suspicious behaviors observed by local residents, notably a woman who played a crucial role in bringing the offender to justice.

According to court reports, Sullivan had been seen loitering around the bus stops on Fernclough Road in Harpurhey on multiple occasions prior to the assault. These bus stops are commonly used by children and students traveling to and from school, raising concerns among local residents about the safety of young people in the area. Among those concerned was Sandra Kenyon, a resident of Harpurhey, who took it upon herself to notify the police twice in the week leading up to the attack, highlighting her vigilance and concern for community safety.

On one of these occasions, Ms. Kenyon followed Sullivan discreetly and observed him entering a nearby shop to top up a pre-paid gas meter. She provided police with detailed information about this transaction, which later proved instrumental in the investigation. On the day of the assault, she also recorded footage on her mobile phone showing Sullivan walking away from the scene, having previously seen him with his hand down his trousers, an act that further raised suspicion.

The court heard that Sullivan approached the young girl, who was dressed in her school uniform and was using her mobile phone at the time. He then inappropriately touched her, putting his hand up her skirt and squeezing her bottom before fleeing the scene. The police responded swiftly, and thanks to Ms. Kenyon’s detailed account—including the exact time Sullivan visited the shop—they were able to use CCTV footage and other evidence to identify and locate him.

Authorities traced Sullivan through his gas account, which linked him to the house he shares with his mother. He was arrested two days after the incident, on January 26. Sullivan, who has no prior criminal record, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault during an earlier court hearing.

Judge Alan Conrad QC commended Ms. Kenyon for her courageous and public-spirited actions, stating, “Her public spirited actions led to this offender being brought to justice. Her actions should be commended. And I feel it is only right and appropriate that I award a sum out of public funds as I am permitted to do. I award her £400 and please pass my comments on to her.”

Sullivan has been held on remand since January and expressed remorse for his actions. His legal representative, John Harrison QC, noted that Sullivan had not sought to deny or minimize his behavior and that his time in custody had served as a significant deterrent.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Conrad emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating, “This was a serious offence of sexual assault. There was a significant degree of planning as you had been seen hanging around the bus stop, used by schoolchildren, on this and other occasions. A member of the public was so concerned that she filmed you on the day in question. This is a case where you have shown an unhealthy interest in young girls, and it’s too serious for any community order or for any sentence to be suspended.”