In 2024, the Offender Database recorded that 28-year-old Jason Leat was jailed for 13 years after being convicted of a series of “predatory” sexual offences against two women. Leat—of Black Dog, near Crediton, Devon—was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday 19 September. It was reported that the investigation into Leat’s conduct began in July 2020, following two separate incidents in the Crediton area where he targeted women after social evenings out.
The investigation established that on 4 July 2020, Leat followed a victim back to her flat after meeting her through friends. Exeter Crown Court heard that after the victim went to bed, Leat entered her bed uninvited and subjected her to a “sustained ordeal” of sexual assault and rape while she moved in and out of sleep. The prosecution reported that despite the victim telling Leat to stop, he proceeded to rape her twice before leaving the property the following morning.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Leat’s offending was not isolated to a single victim; just two weeks later, on 18 July 2020, he approached a second woman in Crediton and sexually assaulted her over her clothing. Exeter Crown Court heard that Leat was a “dangerous sexual predator” who targeted women in social settings. The investigation established that he was convicted at trial of two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, and two counts of sexual assault involving both victims.
Judge-led proceedings at Exeter Crown Court resulted in a 13-year custodial sentence. For his actions in Crediton and Black Dog, Leat was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life. DC Jon Stephens of the Public Protection Unit praised the bravery of the victims for supporting the police investigation, noting that their courage was instrumental in bringing Leat to justice and ensuring he was removed from the community for a significant period.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the records reported in Devon, the status of Jason Leat as of April 7, 2026, was as follows:
- Custodial Status: SERVING (13-year term; sentenced September 2024; currently incarcerated).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life.
- SHPO Status: Subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barring List (Indefinite ban on working with vulnerable groups).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Rape; Sexual assault by penetration; Sexual assault; 6 counts total).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Exeter Crown Court; investigated by Devon and Cornwall Police.
- Criminal Record: Twice raped a victim in her own home; Sexually assaulted a second victim in a public setting; Targeted victims following social nights out.
- Origin: Black Dog, near Crediton, Devon.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Leat is managed as a maximum-risk registered sex offender within the prison estate and remains a priority for the Devon and Cornwall Police Public Protection Unit. Due to the nature of his conduct—specifically his “opportunistic predation” and his refusal to stop when explicitly told to do so—his management is a priority. Authorities state that his pattern of targeting multiple women within a short timeframe identifies him as a high-risk individual who requires the most intensive level of supervision upon any eventual release.
As a registered sex offender for life, the 28-year-old’s details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that his eventual release on licence will be subject to the most stringent Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in Devon. Any attempt to contact his victims, any failure to notify police of his residence in Crediton or Black Dog, or any reports of predatory behaviour in social settings will result in immediate arrest to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from his demonstrated pattern of sexual violence.
QUESTION – Given that the offender raped a victim in her own bed after being told to stop, do you believe that “Violation of Domestic Sanctuary” should carry a mandatory life-term for all rape convictions?
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