William Joyce (left) was found guilty of murdering Darren Leach (right) in his own home, having bullied him for money. While Mr Leach died as a direct result of a fire, reports found that he had suffered significant injuries prior to death, including a broken neck and voice box - consistent with being strangled - and abrasions to his eye and face. Joyce was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years.placeholder image
William Joyce (left) was found guilty of murdering Darren Leach (right) in his own home, having bullied him for money. While Mr Leach died as a direct result of a fire, reports found that he had suffered significant injuries prior to death, including a broken neck and voice box - consistent with being strangled - and abrasions to his eye and face. Joyce was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years. | WYP

37 abhorrent criminals locked up in Leeds in November including Darren Leach's killer

Alex Grant
By Alex Grant

Senior Reporter

Published 1st Dec 2025, 16:30 GMT

Here are 37 abhorrent criminals who were locked up in Leeds last month.

They included a man jailed for life after being convicted of the murder of Darren Leach in Leeds.

Also locked up at Leeds Crown Court during November was an evil teacher who filmed and sexually abused young girls at a Leeds primary school.

Here are the names and faces of 37 criminals who appeared before judges at Leeds Crown Court during November.

Joseph Taylor and his friend Noah Thompson were jailed at Leeds Crown Court after being caught with thousands of pounds worth of crack cocaine and a loaded pistol. Judge Kate Rayfield handed Thompson a three-year sentence, while Taylor was given a 10-year sentence - after he admitted possessing a prohibited weapon and having ammunition without a certificate.

13. Joseph Taylor and Noah Thompson

Joseph Taylor and his friend Noah Thompson were jailed at Leeds Crown Court after being caught with thousands of pounds worth of crack cocaine and a loaded pistol. Judge Kate Rayfield handed Thompson a three-year sentence, while Taylor was given a 10-year sentence - after he admitted possessing a prohibited weapon and having ammunition without a certificate. | WYP

Photo Sales
Pervert Ian Long, who has a history of sex offences, held a knife to a sex worker’s throat after convincing her to follow him. Long was told by the judge at Leeds Crown Court that he deemed him to be a “dangerous” offender who had refused to undergo probation and psychiatric assessments. He was handed a prison sentence of more than four years.

14. Ian Long

Pervert Ian Long, who has a history of sex offences, held a knife to a sex worker’s throat after convincing her to follow him. Long was told by the judge at Leeds Crown Court that he deemed him to be a “dangerous” offender who had refused to undergo probation and psychiatric assessments. He was handed a prison sentence of more than four years. | WYP

Photo Sales
Drug dealer Joel Ogbonson, who tried to run from police before trying to secrete his stash in his bottom, was jailed for 28 months at Leeds Crown Court after admitting dealing in heroin and crack cocaine. Ogbonson, of Roundhay Grove, Chapeltown, admitted two offences of dealing in Class A drugs.

15. Joel Ogbonson

Drug dealer Joel Ogbonson, who tried to run from police before trying to secrete his stash in his bottom, was jailed for 28 months at Leeds Crown Court after admitting dealing in heroin and crack cocaine. Ogbonson, of Roundhay Grove, Chapeltown, admitted two offences of dealing in Class A drugs. | WYP

Photo Sales
Philip Stirling confronted a driver in a road-rage incident hurled racist abuse at him before attacking him and breaking his leg. He was given 72-month sentence and a 10-year restraining order to keep him away from his ex partner after also admitting offences including threats to kill and malicious communication.

16. Philip Stirling

Philip Stirling confronted a driver in a road-rage incident hurled racist abuse at him before attacking him and breaking his leg. He was given 72-month sentence and a 10-year restraining order to keep him away from his ex partner after also admitting offences including threats to kill and malicious communication. | WYP

Photo Sales
Romaine James (left) was given a life sentence of at least 24 years for the murder of Saymore Kwashira (top right) at a flat on Winrose Avenue, Belle Isle. James, 18, killed Kwashira in cold blood, stabbing him through the stomach with a machete at the property. The jury rejected claims that he was acting in self defence.

17. Romaine James

Romaine James (left) was given a life sentence of at least 24 years for the murder of Saymore Kwashira (top right) at a flat on Winrose Avenue, Belle Isle. James, 18, killed Kwashira in cold blood, stabbing him through the stomach with a machete at the property. The jury rejected claims that he was acting in self defence. | WYP / NW

Photo Sales
Regan Kemp (pictured left), was jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of causing the death of Ashton Kitchen-White (top right) through dangerous driving. Kemp was being recorded on a mobile phone by a backseat passenger in the Ford Focus ST when it smashed into Ashton Kitchen-White on a pelican crossing at nearly three times the speed limit.

18. Kemp verdict

Regan Kemp (pictured left), was jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of causing the death of Ashton Kitchen-White (top right) through dangerous driving. Kemp was being recorded on a mobile phone by a backseat passenger in the Ford Focus ST when it smashed into Ashton Kitchen-White on a pelican crossing at nearly three times the speed limit. | WYP / Google Maps

Photo Sales
Previous
3 / 5
Next Page
Related topics:LeedsWest Yorkshire Police
Celebrating 135 years of telling Leeds' stories
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice