Sydney Burdon, 65, of Thorstle Hill, Middleton, was jailed for 12 years after he was found guilty of rape, two counts of indecent assault, indecent exposure, engaging in sexual communication with a child and four counts of engaging a child in sexual activity. The paedophile was labelled a “true monster” in court as it was explained how he raped a young girl who fell pregnant and was later forced to endure further trauma after the child was stillborn. — Sydney Burdon, 65, of Thorstle Hill, Middleton, was jailed for 12 years after he was found guilty of rape, two counts of indecent assault, indecent exposure, engaging in sexual communication with a child and four counts of engaging a child in sexual activity. The paedophile was labelled a “true monster” in court as it was explained how he raped a young girl who fell pregnant and was later forced to endure further trauma after the child was stillborn. | West Yorkshire Police

placeholder image — Sydney Burdon, 65, of Thorstle Hill, Middleton, was jailed for 12 years after he was found guilty of rape, two counts of indecent assault, indecent exposure, engaging in sexual communication with a child and four counts of engaging a child in sexual activity. The paedophile was labelled a “true monster” in court as it was explained how he raped a young girl who fell pregnant and was later forced to endure further trauma after the child was stillborn. | West Yorkshire Police

45 callous criminals locked up in Leeds in July including violent yob and naked thug high on drugs

By James Connolly

SWNS reporter

Published 31st Jul 2025, 03:45 GMT

Dozens of callous criminals appeared in the dock in Leeds over the last month - with some handed lengthy sentences behind bars.

From a man who repeatedly punched a police officer while naked, to a teenager who helped stoke the flames of a fire started during the Harehills disorder, these offenders have all been brought to justice.

Also in the headlines this month was the driver who killed cyclist John Shelton after smashing into him at nearly 100mph, before torching his car in a bid to cover his tracks.

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After another long month of sentencings at Leeds Crown Court, here are 45 of the criminals who appeared before judges -

Javed Hussain (top right), 27, of Grosvenor Street, Wakefield, was jailed for five and a half years after admitting possessing a firearm with an intent to cause fear of violence, along with five offences of dealing in Class A drugs from a separate incident, while Seedy Egunu, 22, of Westminster Terrace, Bradford, was jailed for 34 months after being found guilty after a trial of possessing a firearm with an intent to cause fear of violence. Hussain employed the help of Egunu to blast the door of a property on Coronation Street in Wrenthorpe, near Wakefield, in July 2022 in order to frighten a family during an ongoing dispute.

7. Javed Hussain, left, and Seedy Egunu

Javed Hussain (top right), 27, of Grosvenor Street, Wakefield, was jailed for five and a half years after admitting possessing a firearm with an intent to cause fear of violence, along with five offences of dealing in Class A drugs from a separate incident, while Seedy Egunu, 22, of Westminster Terrace, Bradford, was jailed for 34 months after being found guilty after a trial of possessing a firearm with an intent to cause fear of violence. Hussain employed the help of Egunu to blast the door of a property on Coronation Street in Wrenthorpe, near Wakefield, in July 2022 in order to frighten a family during an ongoing dispute. | West Yorkshire Police

Vlad Tapu, 19, of Granton Street, Bradford, was jailed for five years after admitting robbery and ABH. The machete-wielding thug attacked a woman who was looking after a disabled man at a home in Hyde Park on January 5.

8. Vlad Tapu

Vlad Tapu, 19, of Granton Street, Bradford, was jailed for five years after admitting robbery and ABH. The machete-wielding thug attacked a woman who was looking after a disabled man at a home in Hyde Park on January 5. | West Yorkshire Police/National World

Patrick Mason, 37, appearing in court via video link from HMP Leeds, was jailed for nine years after admitting two counts of robbery, one of attempted robbery and possession of a bladed article. The court heard that in one incident the desperate drug addict tried to rob a frail pensioner outside her home.

9. Patrick Mason

Patrick Mason, 37, appearing in court via video link from HMP Leeds, was jailed for nine years after admitting two counts of robbery, one of attempted robbery and possession of a bladed article. The court heard that in one incident the desperate drug addict tried to rob a frail pensioner outside her home. | West Yorkshire Police/National World

Wendy Ncube, 62, was jailed for 20 months after admitting conspiracy to possess documentation, two counts of possession of false documents and one count of fraud. The court heard that the immigrant grandmother had dodged the authorities for more than two decades - but was caught after using false documents to illegally secure work.

10. Wendy Ncube

Wendy Ncube, 62, was jailed for 20 months after admitting conspiracy to possess documentation, two counts of possession of false documents and one count of fraud. The court heard that the immigrant grandmother had dodged the authorities for more than two decades - but was caught after using false documents to illegally secure work. | West Yorkshire Police/National World

Rizwan Mahroof, 30, of no fixed address, was jailed for 23 months after admitting to a robbery. He burst into the Portside chip shop on Kirkstall Road on April 2 demanding cash - and was later identified from CCTV from a McDonald’s across the street.

11. Rizwan Mahroof

Rizwan Mahroof, 30, of no fixed address, was jailed for 23 months after admitting to a robbery. He burst into the Portside chip shop on Kirkstall Road on April 2 demanding cash - and was later identified from CCTV from a McDonald’s across the street. | West Yorkshire Police/Google

Liam Craven, 23, of Castle Mount, New Farnley, was jailed for 28 months after admitting dealing in Class A and Class B drugs, two counts of assault on emergency workers and one of possession of cannabis. A judge tore into the dealer who was caught twice by police, telling him he deserved jail for “peddling filth”.

12. Liam Craven

Liam Craven, 23, of Castle Mount, New Farnley, was jailed for 28 months after admitting dealing in Class A and Class B drugs, two counts of assault on emergency workers and one of possession of cannabis. A judge tore into the dealer who was caught twice by police, telling him he deserved jail for “peddling filth”. | West Yorkshire Police/National World

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