Their crimes include a fairground worker who groomed a child on Snapchat before taking her to a field to have sex with her, and a vile toddler rapist who was told he had caused “permanent” psychological harm to his three-year-old victim.
Also locked up at Leeds Crown Court during January 2026, was an international footballer found guilty of raping a woman in the toilet of a Leeds flat.
Here are the names and faces of 53 criminals who were locked up by judges last month...
25. Austin Reed
Negotiators had to be called after Austin Reed threatened to blow up a house in Leeds after he purposely ruptured a gas boiler. Surrounding homes in the cul-de-sac were evacuated after Reed locked himself, a woman and three children inside an address on Roderick Street. He was jailed for 30 months after he admitted criminal damage to property reckless as to whether life was endangered. | WYP
26. Daniel Martin
Drug-crazed Daniel Martin tried to drag a terrified woman from her car and threatened to stab a 12-year-old boy while demanding his bicycle. The 29-year-old embarked on a thieving spree in September of last year in which he also burgled several homes and tried to break into others. He was jailed for eight years. | WYP / YEP
27. Darlington Asante
Homeless predator Darlington Asante, 27, pretended to be a Good Samaritan and help a drunk woman after he saw her fall over in the street, but preyed on her vulnerability before carrying her back to his makeshift shelter on Recreation Place and raping her. Judge Mairs gave him a nine-year custodial sentence, with a three-year extended licence period, making a 12-year sentence. He was put on the sex offender register for life. | WYP / Adobestock
28. Thomas Sawyer
Pervert Thomas Sawyer was deemed a danger to children after forcing a 14-year-old girl into degrading sex acts. The 30-year-old admitted a string of offences, but only after the victim was forced to give evidence at trial. He was given an extended 15-year sentence at Leeds Crown Court, given a lifelong sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and put on the sex offender register for life. | WYP / Adobe
29. James Garahan
HGV driver James Garahan kicked his partner unconscious on the street before threatening her with a knife as he downed pills in a bid to kill himself. The 49-year-old who has a history of violence, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court after admitting charges of ABH and making threats with a bladed article. Judge Penelope Belcher jailed him for 28 months and activated 10 weeks of his suspended sentence to run consecutively. | WYP / YEP
30. Michniewicz and Timoszek
Married couple Wieslaw Michniewicz and Aleksandra Timoszek trafficked young women to Leeds with the promise of legitimate work, but then put them to work as prostitutes. The devious couple lived a lavish lifestyle on the profits, driving expensive sports cars, the court heard. Michniewicz was sentenced to 15 years’ jail, with Timoszek, given a term of seven-and-a-half years. | WYP