RUDOLFO DELEON SCARBOROUGH PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO NEARLY FOUR YEARS IN PRISON

In August 2000, a disturbing case involving a Jehovah's Witness from Scarborough culminated in the sentencing of Rudolfo Albert Deleon, a 24-year-old man, who was found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offenses against young girls. Deleon, residing at Esplanade Gardens in Scarborough, had admitted to committing 14 counts of indecency, which led to his conviction and subsequent imprisonment.

The case was brought before Leeds Crown Court, where Judge Paul Hoffman delivered the sentence. Deleon was sentenced to a term of three years and eleven months behind bars, a punishment reflecting the severity of his crimes. The court's proceedings revealed the extent of his misconduct, which spanned over a year before his arrest.

Following his arrest in March, authorities initially suspected Deleon of multiple offenses involving young girls. He was subsequently charged with 28 counts of indecent assault. In June, Deleon pleaded guilty to 14 of these charges, acknowledging his culpability in the disturbing acts.

Deleon’s criminal behavior was described by the court as stemming from a lecherous disposition, with Judge Hoffman explicitly stating, "You are a young man with a lecherous disposition." The court was informed that Deleon, an American national, had come to Scarborough in 1998 after meeting a local Jehovah's Witness during a visit from the United States. This connection appeared to be a factor in his presence in the town during the period of his offending.

Church elder Chris Atkinson, speaking to the Evening News, condemned Deleon’s actions, emphasizing that child abuse is utterly abhorrent to Jehovah's Witnesses. He stated, "No-one involved with this sort of crime has any place among our membership," reaffirming the church’s stance against such conduct.

As part of his sentence, Deleon was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from predators, and Deleon’s arrest and conviction mark a significant step in addressing such grave crimes in Scarborough.