PAEDOPHILE WITH FETISH FOR BELLIES AND NAVELS JAILED
Victims of a paedophile, known for a specific attraction to "bellies and navels," have been encouraged to "hold their heads high" following their successful effort to bring their abuser to justice.The court heard how 65-year-old Lee Wooding engaged in abuse that included filming himself licking ice cream off children’s stomachs.
His misconduct involved grooming through gift-giving, encouraging children to play strip poker, kissing them, and making one touch his private parts.
Once the allegations were reported, Wooding denied the charges, and during his trial in November, his legal team claimed the victims were lying.
He opted not to testify in his defence after listening to their accounts and continues to assert his innocence.
One victim stated in their impact letter that they were too young to understand what was happening at the time and later felt confused and fearful of "hate or disappointment" if they had reported the abuse.
Another victim described how they attempted to block out the memories but now feel emotionally numb after recalling the events during court.
They expressed relief that the legal process was over but noted feeling emotionally detached, saying, "I'm pleased it's over now, but I have no real feeling at all about the outcome.
I'm not happy, sad or angry.
I just feel very numb to it." At the sentencing hearing, Judge Daniel Stevenson praised the victims for their bravery.
He stated, "They can hold their heads high, knowing the jury believed their evidence and disbelieved your defence." The judge hoped that, through sentencing, the victims could find closure and move on.
Wooding, who lived on McAlpine Crescent, Maidstone, was convicted of eight child sex offences committed over 20 years.
He has no previous convictions and was described as leading a "blameless and positive" life otherwise.
His lawyer, Simeon Wallis, conveyed that Wooding was "deeply upset" by the victims’ descriptions of suffering.
Nevertheless, the judge dismissed this, emphasizing that Wooding’s actions inflicted significant psychological harm through persistent and repeated abuse.
He condemned Wooding for refusing to accept responsibility and lacking remorse, sentencing him to nine years, with his release set after serving half of the term.
Furthermore, he will have to register as a sex offender indefinitely upon release.
