BRIDLINGTON RAPIST MICHAEL LESKO STALKED HIS VICTIM AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HER AGAIN
A man convicted of a series of serious crimes including stalking, rape, and sexual assault has been sentenced to ten years in prison.
Michael Lesko, aged 29, traveled approximately 120 miles (193 km) from his residence in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, to Durham in October.
There, he pursued his victim by following her onto the same bus and subsequently waiting outside a pub after she entered to escape him.
Unaware that Lesko was nearby, the woman left the pub only to be followed and assaulted.
The case went to trial in March, resulting in a verdict of guilty for charges including rape, sexual assault, stalking, and assault.
Lesko’s sentence also includes a three-year extended licence, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and a restraining order to prevent contact with the victim.
In a separate but related incident, Michael Lesko, of Thornaby, was involved in a sexual assault and voyeurism case that came to public attention.
Under the influence of alcohol, Lesko attacked a woman sexually and secretly photographed her without consent.
Over a duration of about two minutes, he took six photographs of her, employing a device while she was seemingly asleep and unaware of his actions.
This misconduct was uncovered during a police arrest when officers discovered the images on Lesko’s phone.
He acknowledged the crimes in court, claiming memory issues about taking the images, but his legal representatives accepted responsibility because evidence showed the images on his device.
Defense lawyer Shaun Dryden explained that his client had since stopped drinking and was receiving therapy to address underlying issues.
During sentencing at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Aisha Wadoodi described the victim’s feelings of violation and betrayal, and sentenced Lesko to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years, with additional measures including a seven-year restraining order, ten-year sex offender registration, and 35 days of rehabilitation.
Detective Lewis Hill from Cleveland Police highlighted the importance of victim support and urged the public to report similar incidents, emphasizing available resources and the importance of speaking out.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
A man convicted of a series of serious crimes including stalking, rape, and sexual assault has been sentenced to ten years in prison. Michael Lesko, aged 29, traveled approximately 120 miles (193 km) from his residence in Bridlington, Ea...
Prison sentence
ten years
A man convicted of a series of serious crimes including stalking, rape, and sexual assault has been sentenced to ten years in prison
Court order
Lesko's sentence also includes a three-year extended licence, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and a restraining order to prevent contact with the victim
Prison sentence
12 months
During sentencing at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Aisha Wadoodi described the victim's feelings of violation and betrayal, and sentenced Lesko to 12 months' imprisonment suspended for two years, with additional measures including a seven-year restraining order, ten-year sex offender registration, and 35 days of rehabilitation
Suspended sentence
two years
During sentencing at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Aisha Wadoodi described the victim's feelings of violation and betrayal, and sentenced Lesko to 12 months' imprisonment suspended for two years, with additional measures including a seven-year restraining order, ten-year sex offender registration, and 35 days of rehabilitation
Court order
35 days
During sentencing at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Aisha Wadoodi described the victim's feelings of violation and betrayal, and sentenced Lesko to 12 months' imprisonment suspended for two years, with additional measures including a seven-year restraining order, ten-year sex offender registration, and 35 days of rehabilitation
