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 -

Darren McTiernan, 49, of Mill Lane, Ryhill, Wakefield, was jailed for 30 months after admitting a charge of ABH, criminal damage and breach of a restraining order. The convicted thug, who would mete out daily abuse to his partner after being given a restraining order, was jailed again after a brutal assault when she tried to escape from him.

25. Darren McTiernan

Darren McTiernan, 49, of Mill Lane, Ryhill, Wakefield, was jailed for 30 months after admitting a charge of ABH, criminal damage and breach of a restraining order. The convicted thug, who would mete out daily abuse to his partner after being given a restraining order, was jailed again after a brutal assault when she tried to escape from him. | West Yorkshire Police/National World

Lee Brown, 32, of Marsh Lane, Knottingley, was jailed for 80 months after admitting two counts of causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault and breaches of his SHPO. The dangerous paedophile, who groomed and assaulted a 10-year-old girl, cried in court saying he needed help with his vile urges.

26. Lee Brown

Lee Brown, 32, of Marsh Lane, Knottingley, was jailed for 80 months after admitting two counts of causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault and breaches of his SHPO. The dangerous paedophile, who groomed and assaulted a 10-year-old girl, cried in court saying he needed help with his vile urges. | West Yorkshire Police/Adobe

Achalkumar Pandya, 36, of Burley Road, Leeds, was jailed for three years after admitting attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and attempting to incite an underage girl into sexual activity. The court heard how the paedophile, who told an underage girl online that he wanted to meet and have sex, was lured into meeting a woman so he could be arrested.

27. Achalkumar Pandya

Achalkumar Pandya, 36, of Burley Road, Leeds, was jailed for three years after admitting attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and attempting to incite an underage girl into sexual activity. The court heard how the paedophile, who told an underage girl online that he wanted to meet and have sex, was lured into meeting a woman so he could be arrested. | West Yorkshire Police/Adobe

Timothy Meerun, 35, of Holt Park Way, was jailed for 10 years and eight months after admitting to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and ketamine, the production of cannabis, dealing in cannabis, seven counts of possessing criminal property and one of converting criminal property. The drug importer, who dealt in kilogrammes of cocaine and ketamine, splashed his wealth on cars and expensive watches.

28. Timothy Meerun

Timothy Meerun, 35, of Holt Park Way, was jailed for 10 years and eight months after admitting to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and ketamine, the production of cannabis, dealing in cannabis, seven counts of possessing criminal property and one of converting criminal property. The drug importer, who dealt in kilogrammes of cocaine and ketamine, splashed his wealth on cars and expensive watches. | West Yorkshire Police/National World/Getty

Edgar Casandra, 23, of formerly of Boggart Hill Drive, Seacroft, but now of Regent Plaza, Salford, was jailed for eight years and one month after admitting rape, ABH, strangulation and two counts of breaching an SHPO. The sex offender, who beat and raped a teenager during a terrifying ordeal in November 2023, was deemed by the court to be a danger to society.

29. Edgar Casandra

Edgar Casandra, 23, of formerly of Boggart Hill Drive, Seacroft, but now of Regent Plaza, Salford, was jailed for eight years and one month after admitting rape, ABH, strangulation and two counts of breaching an SHPO. The sex offender, who beat and raped a teenager during a terrifying ordeal in November 2023, was deemed by the court to be a danger to society. | West Yorkshire Police/National World

Darren Colville, 50, of Parkwood Road, Beeston, was jailed for 45 months after admitting charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual behaviour, causing a child to watch a sexual act and sexual communication with a child. The warped paedophile bombarded a young girl with anonymous emails for two years suggesting they have sex - and was caught when he sent underwear to the youngster.

30. Darren Colville

Darren Colville, 50, of Parkwood Road, Beeston, was jailed for 45 months after admitting charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual behaviour, causing a child to watch a sexual act and sexual communication with a child. The warped paedophile bombarded a young girl with anonymous emails for two years suggesting they have sex - and was caught when he sent underwear to the youngster. | West Yorkshire Police/Adobe

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