In January 2026, the Offender Database reported that Leslie Smith, 70, of Forest Bank, Manchester, Greater Manchester, was sentenced to 33 years in prison at Manchester Crown Court. Smith was found guilty of a horrific and sustained campaign of sexual violence against six children in Oldham, spanning more than two decades.
The court heard that the paedophile subjected his victims to near-daily abuse for years, committing 17 counts of rape and 14 counts of indecent assault. The scale of the offending was described as “unimaginable,” with Lynda Smith, Smith’s wife at the time, reportedly complicit in some of the crimes. Lynda Smith was also charged with sexual offences but died in 2023 at the age of 61 before her case could conclude. Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Clare Harrison noted that the evidence presented during the trial represented only a glimpse into the profound trauma and far-reaching consequences endured by the survivors.
Following a trial in August 2025, Smith was convicted on all counts. At the sentencing hearing on January 5, 2026, the judge emphasised that Smith would likely serve the remainder of his life in prison. DI Harrison praised the “extraordinary bravery” and resilience of the survivors, stating that their powerful testimonies were pivotal in ensuring justice. She remarked that the sentencing marks the final moment that Smith will hold any power over the lives of those he exploited.
Leslie Smith was sentenced to 33 years in prison. Due to the length of the custodial term and his age, it is anticipated that he will die behind bars. The court also highlighted the dedication of the specialist officers, independent sexual violence advisors, and court professionals who supported the survivors throughout the harrowing multi-year investigation and trial process.
As a result of his convictions for the rape and prolonged sexual abuse of children, Smith has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. He is managed under the highest level of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in Greater Manchester. Should he ever be released, he will be subject to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which strictly prohibits him from any contact with children and places permanent restrictions on his residency and internet activity.
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