In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Leon Single, 47, was spared jail despite multiple breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). On appearing at Liverpool Crown Court in 2019, the defendant, of Greenville Drive, Maghull, Merseyside, admitted to entering a young mother’s family home without disclosing his history as a sex offender. It was reported that Single had previously been jailed for six years in 2007 for the sexual assault of a three-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy.
The investigation established that the defendant used gifts and financial gestures, including paying for a child’s birthday party and buying clothing, to establish a presence within the family. Merseyside Police reported that the mother, unaware of his history, had left her children alone with Single for four hours while she attended a hospital appointment. The investigation revealed that Single had taken the family on trips to the Lake District and Monkey Forest in Stoke and likely had a key to the property.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that the situation was only uncovered during a police stop in Netherton. Liverpool Crown Court heard that an officer stopped Single for a cracked windscreen and speeding, only for a name check to flag his life-long status on the Sex Offenders Register. The investigation established that in his 2007 case, Single had been convicted after a trial and told to sign the register for life.
Judge Sophie McKone noted that Single had disregarded his court orders to facilitate a relationship. For his actions in Maghull and Rock Ferry, Single admitted to four breaches of his order. However, the judge noted that because jailing Single would place a burden on his sick father, she would not impose an immediate custodial term. The judge noted that the mother should not blame herself for the situation Single had created through his silence.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Leon Single is as follows:
- Sentence: Eight months in jail, suspended for two years (2019).
- Unpaid Work: 180 hours.
- Rehabilitation: 30-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life.
- SHPO Status: Indefinite, prohibiting unsupervised contact with anyone under 16.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court following a Merseyside Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Sexual assault of a child (multiple counts); Blackmail; Breach of SHPO (multiple counts).
- Origin: Rock Ferry, Wirral (Current: Maghull, Sefton).
Monitoring and Public Protection
Single is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by the police and the National Probation Service in Merseyside. Due to the nature of his conduct in Maghull, which involved an attempt to reside with children while hiding a history of child molestation, his management is subject to high-level scrutiny. Authorities state that his indefinite SHPO remains a tool to ensure he is prohibited from entering into relationships with parents without the police first disclosing his history to the parties involved.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register for life, Single must comply with all notification requirements regarding his identity and residence. Authorities state that his history of ignoring court orders in Sefton and Wirral necessitates permanent vigilance. Any future attempt to contact children, hide a relationship from his supervisors, or engage in inappropriate behavior will result in immediate arrest and the potential activation of his suspended prison sentence.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.