LEO O’CONNOR FROM BARKING JAILED FOR SEXUAL ENCOUNTER WITH 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN CAERPHILLY

In December 2020, a disturbing case unfolded involving Leo O’Connor, a man from Barking, who traveled from London to the town of Caerphilly in Gwent with the intent of engaging in a sexual act with a young girl aged just 12 years old. The incident highlights the dangers of online interactions and the severe consequences of such predatory behavior.

According to court proceedings, O’Connor, a 35-year-old minicab driver, had initially made contact with the girl through the popular dating website Plenty of Fish. After establishing communication, he drove from his home in Barking, located in East London, to Caerphilly, a town in South Wales, to meet her in person. The court was told that O’Connor did not ask any questions about the girl’s background or age, which the judge later described as a significant lapse in judgment.

On the afternoon of November 18, 2019, O’Connor picked up the girl and took her to a hotel in Caerphilly. There, the two engaged in sexual activity, although it was clarified that full intercourse did not occur. The encounter lasted approximately two hours, after which O’Connor drove her back to her home and then returned to London. The police were alerted to the incident within hours of the event, and O’Connor was arrested in Central London later that day.

During police interviews, O’Connor admitted to his actions but claimed, “I’ve done something stupid, but I didn’t have sex with her.” The victim’s mother provided a heartbreaking impact statement, revealing the profound effect the incident had on her daughter. She expressed concern that her daughter no longer trusts anyone, blames herself, and appears to have lost her childhood innocence.

O’Connor, who resides on Wedderburn Road in Barking, pleaded guilty to the charge of assault by penetration. The presiding judge, Recorder Duncan Bould, addressed him directly, emphasizing the gravity of the offense: “She encouraged you but you were significantly older. You were literally old enough to be her father.”

As a result of his conviction, O’Connor was sentenced to 28 months in prison. Additionally, he will serve an extended license period of 12 months following his release, during which he will be subject to strict supervision. Furthermore, he is required to register as a sex offender for a period of 10 years, underscoring the long-term implications of his actions and the importance of community safety.