Three-year sentence for abuser who shared video of sexual assault

Sexual offender Leslie Richards has been sentenced to three years in prison after police identified him from a video he shared of a violent sexual assault on a mobile app.

Richards, of Eastbrook Avenue in Dagenham, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of causing actual bodily harm.

After months of work by our detectives, the Crown Prosecution Service agreed to charge Richards with rape, two counts of assault by penetration, engaging in a controlling and coercive relationship, and causing actual bodily harm.

He initially pleaded not guilty to all charges, however shortly before the trial in January 2024, he had guilty pleas for two counts of assault by penetration and causing actual bodily harm accepted by the courts.

Richards was sentenced to three years in prison on Thursday 11 April, as well as being given an indefinite restraining order to prevent Richards contacting the victim and being added to the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

'A huge level of control'

Police Constable Winn, the officer who led this investigation, said:

“The victims of crime are at the centre of the work we do.
“This sentencing represents the bravery she demonstrated in speaking to us about this crime – without her, this conviction would not have been possible and Richards may have continued to offend.
“Richards was an appalling and calculated abuser. The level of control he tried to exert over this victim in this case was huge.
“He can now reflect on this in prison, and officers will continue to monitor his behaviour to ensure no one else will be subject to this abuse.”

In January 2021, Richards threatened to kill his victim and attacked her, causing serious injuries to their arms, legs and chest.

He then forced her to perform a sexual act and recorded it sharing it on a mobile application.

A member of the public who saw her profile online quickly informed the police. Our officers were able to identify both Richards and his victim from this video and arrested him, where he disputed the evidence and the denied the victims’ account.

However, after seeing the strength of the case against him, Richards pleaded guilty.

'You will be supported'

Detective Sergeant John James Hogan-Davis, of the Adult Sexual Abuse Investigation Team, added:

“This case also shows the commitment and dedication of our officers to make sure Richards faced justice.
“We understand the impact crimes like these have on victims and on their families, and we will pursue every investigative avenue we can.
“If you are the victim of domestic abuse or sexual violence, please speak to us. You will be listened to and you will be supported.”

If you enter a relationship with someone new and start to feel a little unsure about the situation, there are steps you can take.

Clare's Law gives any member of the public the right to ask the police if their partner may pose a risk to them.

For more information about Clare's Law and how to make an application please visit our domestic violence disclosure scheme page.

Synergy Essex provides support and guidance for survivors of sexual and sexual abuse across Essex.

The Essex Rape Crisis Partnership is formed of three organisations:

• CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) who cover mid and north Essex.
• SERICC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service) who cover South and West Essex.
• SOS Rape Crisis who cover Southend, Castle Point and Rochford.

Survivors can self-refer and receive emotional support, specialist sexual violence and abuse counselling and or specialist advocacy services, no matter when the sexual violence or abuse occurred. In addition to this, they also offer support to survivor’s loved ones.

For more information about how to get support, visit the Synergy Essex website.

At Essex Police we put victims at the heart of everything we do. The Victims’ Code explains the rights that everyone can expect to receive as a victim of crime, and helps us define what we must do for all victims from their initial contact with our force until the conclusion of their case.

Find out more about the code and to understand the rights of a victim of crime, on our Support for victims and witnesses of crime page.

To report a crime, please use our digital 101 service. In an emergency call 999.