LEONARD KING VANISHES FROM ALFRISTON YACHTING IN BRIGHTON MARINA - MYSTERY DEEPENS OVER MISSING MILLIONAIRE AND CONVICTED PAEDOPHILE

In a perplexing and troubling development, Leonard King, a well-known businessman and resident of Alfriston in East Sussex, has gone missing under mysterious circumstances after setting sail from Brighton Marina. The 74-year-old, who is recognized as a prominent figure in his community, was last seen on his luxury 70-foot Sunseeker yacht, named Stefefree, which he had taken on a routine cruise along the South Coast on a Sunday afternoon.

King had informed his wife that he would return home by dinner time, but when hours passed without any sign of him, she became increasingly concerned. She raised the alarm, prompting a significant search operation. Authorities located the yacht near its usual moorings, but it was found drifting loose and banging against the wall of Brighton Marina. The vessel appeared to have entered the marina on autopilot, with its instruments still active and the engines warm, yet there was no trace of Leonard King aboard.

In response to the disappearance, a large-scale air and sea search was launched involving two helicopters and three lifeboats. The operation, which lasted approximately 11 hours, was ultimately suspended without locating King or providing any clues as to his whereabouts. The Brighton RNLI described the case as a mystery, emphasizing the unusual nature of the incident.

King’s second wife, Stephanie, expressed her bewilderment and concern, stating she could not understand what had happened to her husband. She described him as an experienced yachtsman who had been sailing since he was at least 20 years old. Normally, they would sail together, but during calm weather, he sometimes went alone. She recounted that he left for his trip just before lunch, and she had expected him back for dinner. Despite multiple calls to his mobile phone, she was unable to reach him, which added to her worry.

King’s background includes ownership of a helicopter and a holiday home in the Caribbean, indicating considerable wealth. He is also a director of two companies and has been regarded as a respected member of the local community in Alfriston. His disappearance has left his family and neighbors in a state of anxiety, with local residents recalling his contributions to the village, such as a generous donation to help establish a cricket green opposite his residence.

Adding a darker layer to the story, it has emerged that Leonard King has a criminal past. In 1995, he was sentenced to three years in prison for the sexual abuse of a boy. The abuse reportedly lasted for seven years, beginning when the victim was just four years old during the 1960s. During his trial at Maidstone Crown Court, King denied the allegations, claiming that his accuser was attempting to blackmail him. He stated that the boy had warned him he would “drag him down” if he did not help him financially, implying an extortion attempt.

Despite his denials, King was convicted on three counts of indecency with a child and three counts of indecent assault. The victim later remarked that the conviction served as a warning to other potential offenders, emphasizing that his actions were motivated by a desire to protect other children rather than vengeance. King has two adult sons and a daughter from his first marriage, and he has been married to his second wife for 38 years.

As the investigation continues, detectives are working closely with King’s family to uncover the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. Authorities believe he may have been sailing between Brighton and Newhaven, East Sussex. Search efforts included lifeboats scouring the waters between these locations, extending as far as two and a half miles offshore. Brighton RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Roger Cohen described the situation as enigmatic, noting that the yacht was found within the eastern breakwater of Brighton Marina, still operational but with no sign of its owner.

Sussex Police Inspector Roy Apps stated, “It is an anxious time for the family. His Sunseeker boat was then found unmanned near the harbour wall at Brighton Marina. We are at an early stage of our investigation and we are liaising closely with Mr. King’s family while we make inquiries.” The case continues to develop as authorities seek answers to the mystery of Leonard King’s disappearance, which has left the local community and his loved ones searching for explanations.