LEO DEEN, 61, JAILED FOR STALKING AND SEXUAL OFFENCES

A stalker who caused significant distress to a family after being evicted from their land has been sentenced to four years in prison. Leo Deen, 61, engaged in a campaign of harassment including erecting signs and banners accusing the victim and council of corruption, posting malicious content on social media, staging rooftop protests, and setting hay bales on fire which had been placed to prevent access to the land. Deen appeared at Chester Crown Court on May 7, where he received a sentence of 28 months for sexual offences, and 20 months for stalking offences, totaling four years. Additionally, he was handed indefinite restraining orders and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Deen, who is currently remanded to HMP Altcourse, previously pleaded guilty to stalking involving serious alarm and distress, causing a public nuisance, and multiple sexual offences including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity (without penetration), and attempting to cause a child to view sexual images. The court heard how he lived on the family’s land for years despite multiple eviction attempts, and later launched a social media campaign, calling the victims and authorities corrupt, and harassing them by delivering threatening letters. In October 2023, Deen mounted rooftop protests, including one at the council offices in Sandbach, which led to the building being closed due to safety concerns. He also left posters and banners with personal details of the victims around the area. After breaching a court order by posting court documents online, he was arrested and convicted of the offences. The police described him as a resentful individual who believed he was the victim of a conspiracy, fueling his actions. The court and police highlighted the years-long harassment that caused distress to the victims and impacted the local community. The convictions were supported by statements from police officials emphasizing their commitment to tackling stalking and protecting victims, and the court acknowledged his lengthy pattern of intimidation and smear campaigns aimed at the victims.