LESLIE BLANCHARD FROM CHELMSFORD JAILED AND CHARGED WITH BREACHING SEX OFFENCES ORDER IN ESSEX
Leslie Blanchard, a 53-year-old from Chelmsford, was remanded in custody after appearing in Chelmsford magistrate’s court, charged with breaching a sex offences prevention order.The court heard that Blanchard allegedly entered an online chat room, violating the conditions of an order imposed last year following his conviction for possessing, making, and distributing indecent images of children.
Blanchard denied the breach charges during the hearing.
Previously, he had pleaded guilty to possessing, making, and sharing indecent images of children.
It was revealed that he had been caught after telling an undercover policeman that ‘eight to ten-year-olds are best.’ Despite this, Blanchard had already served eight months in prison awaiting trial and was released under a three-year community order and a five-year sex offences prevention order.
The order restricts his internet use to work, education, or staying in touch with family and friends.
A police spokesperson from Essex Police stated: ‘A 53-year-old man from Essex was arrested on suspicion of breaching the conditions of a court order and was charged with two breaches of a sex offences prevention order.
He was remanded in custody and appeared at Chelmsford magistrate’s court yesterday.’ Blanchard, a former youth football coach, was publicly exposed as a paedophile last month when James Bulger’s killer, Jon Venables, was sentenced to two years in prison for possessing child pornography.
During court proceedings, it was disclosed that Venables had established an online relationship with Blanchard after being released in 2001, having served only eight years for his involvement in James Bulger’s murder.
Venables had posed as a mother named Dawn, claiming to abuse her eight-year-old daughter, and Blanchard reportedly attempted to arrange a meeting.
The court also heard that last year, during Blanchard’s trial at Southwark Crown Court, he was involved in online conversations with an undercover detective posing as a paedophile, engaging through an internet chat room to make contact.
