LEON SINGLE'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN ROCK FERRY AND BEYOND LEAD TO SUSPENDED SENTENCE

In September 2021, it was reported that Leon Single, now residing in Southport, had a criminal history that included the production of cannabis plants. However, his past crimes extend far beyond drug-related offenses, revealing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior and deception.

Back in August 2019, Single was involved in a case that exposed his true nature as a convicted paedophile who manipulated his way into a young mother’s family home. Unbeknownst to her, Single had a dark secret—he was a sex offender with a lengthy criminal record. Despite this, he showered the woman and her two children with gifts, including paying for her daughter’s birthday party, creating an illusion of kindness and trust.

The woman, who was unaware of Single’s criminal background, left him alone with her children when she went to a hospital appointment. It was only later that the full extent of his past was revealed. Police stopped Single’s car on July 26 on Dunnings Bridge Road, near Netherton, after noticing he was driving at an excessive speed and that his windscreen was cracked. When officers approached him, Single appeared nervous and shaken, but this was initially dismissed as normal behavior.

However, during routine checks, authorities discovered that Single was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SOPO), which prohibited him from being in contact with minors and from being in the company of children under 16 without supervision. This order was a result of his previous conviction in 2007, when he was sentenced to six years in prison for sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy. The conviction followed a trial, and Single was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. Additionally, he was subject to an indefinite SOPO and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which barred him from any unsupervised contact with children.

Prosecutor Jamie Baxter detailed that Single had taken the woman and her children to various locations, including Monkey Forest in Stoke on July 22 and the Lake District on July 23. He also offered to look after her children while she was at the hospital on July 24, which she accepted. Single returned on July 25, bringing her a dress that was too large and offering to return it to Cheshire Oaks. The woman recounted that Single bought her multiple gifts and even paid for her daughter’s birthday party, further establishing a pattern of manipulative behavior.

During the police stop, Single admitted that the woman was unaware of his convictions but claimed he was giving her a lift as a friend. He also confessed to taking her children to various locations and to having entered her home without explicit permission, suggesting he might have had a key. When questioned, Single expressed remorse, saying, “I’m so sorry, I f***ed up, I’m done for now.”

The woman expressed her distress, stating, “When I was told he was a registered sex offender, I was devastated. I feel like I’ve failed my kids.” She described feeling “disgusted” with herself for allowing the situation to develop.

Single’s criminal record is extensive. He has two convictions for six offenses, including blackmail in 1992. His 2007 convictions involved five sexual offenses, where he warned a young girl that monsters would get her if she told anyone. Despite his past, Single claimed in a pre-sentence report that he was unaware his SOPO was still in force, a claim prosecutors did not accept.

Judge Sophie McKone addressed Single directly, emphasizing that he was fully aware of his restrictions and had deliberately disregarded them to pursue a relationship with the woman. She described his actions as “very worrying” and noted that he intentionally concealed his convictions to develop a friendship, which quickly turned into a relationship. The judge stated that Single’s motivation was driven by his desire for a relationship, not the well-being of the children.

While acknowledging his guilty pleas, the judge took into account that Single had not offended for 12 years and cited his father’s health as a reason to avoid imprisonment. She stated, “He really would feel the burden of your prison sentence.”

As a result, Single was sentenced to eight months in jail, suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete a 30-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and perform 180 hours of unpaid work. This case highlights the ongoing risks posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses and the importance of strict enforcement of protective orders to safeguard vulnerable children and families in the Rock Ferry area and beyond.