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 -

Anne Kershaw, 52, and Nataniel Mroz, 18, who both lived at Gamble Hill Grange, were jailed for three years and 28 months respectively after admitting to being responsible for a blaze in the block of flats. They were behind a fire lit outside the front door of a family living in the high-rise in November last year, leaving no escape route.

31. Anne Kershaw and Nataniel Mroz

Anne Kershaw, 52, and Nataniel Mroz, 18, who both lived at Gamble Hill Grange, were jailed for three years and 28 months respectively after admitting to being responsible for a blaze in the block of flats. They were behind a fire lit outside the front door of a family living in the high-rise in November last year, leaving no escape route. | West Yorkshire Police/Google

Anthony McDonald, 29, of Briar Bank, Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire, was jailed for more than nine years after he admitted engaging in sexual communication with a child, causing or inciting a child to watch sexual activity and two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a child. The court heard how the paedophile travelled 200 miles to meet an underage girl in Leeds, before having sex with her in the disabled toilets of the Trinity shopping centre.

32. Anthony McDonald

Anthony McDonald, 29, of Briar Bank, Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire, was jailed for more than nine years after he admitted engaging in sexual communication with a child, causing or inciting a child to watch sexual activity and two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a child. The court heard how the paedophile travelled 200 miles to meet an underage girl in Leeds, before having sex with her in the disabled toilets of the Trinity shopping centre. | West Yorkshire Police/National World

Bradley Cunningham, 28, of Willowdale, Middleton, was jailed for five-and-a-half years for a vicious assault and a raft of other offences including selling crack cocaine and brandishing a machete in public. The drug dealer attacked his girlfriend in the Parnaby Tavern after a family funeral following a squabble about a taxi payment.

33. Bradley Cunningham

Bradley Cunningham, 28, of Willowdale, Middleton, was jailed for five-and-a-half years for a vicious assault and a raft of other offences including selling crack cocaine and brandishing a machete in public. The drug dealer attacked his girlfriend in the Parnaby Tavern after a family funeral following a squabble about a taxi payment. | West Yorkshire Police/Google

Brian Henderson, 44, of Bawn Drive, Farnley, was given a 26 month sentence after he was found guilty of causing Section 20 GBH without intent. The court heard that the drunken driver attacked a neighbour in an act of “cowardice” after the man complained about his parking at Westdale Gardens in Pudsey in November 2022.

34. Brian Henderson

Brian Henderson, 44, of Bawn Drive, Farnley, was given a 26 month sentence after he was found guilty of causing Section 20 GBH without intent. The court heard that the drunken driver attacked a neighbour in an act of “cowardice” after the man complained about his parking at Westdale Gardens in Pudsey in November 2022. | West Yorkshire Police/Google

Taghan Bal, 19, was jailed after admitting causing serious injury through dangerous driving, fraudulently using a false registration plate, and making off without payment. The petrol thief tried to flee the Esso garage on Castleford Road, Normanton, in October last year - and callously ran over a worker who tried to stop him, leaving him with life-long brain damage.

35. Taghan Bal

Taghan Bal, 19, was jailed after admitting causing serious injury through dangerous driving, fraudulently using a false registration plate, and making off without payment. The petrol thief tried to flee the Esso garage on Castleford Road, Normanton, in October last year - and callously ran over a worker who tried to stop him, leaving him with life-long brain damage. | West Yorkshire Police/Google

Luke Lockwood, 21, of Rington Road, Beeston, was jailed for four years and eight months after admitting Section 20 GBH without intent, and dealing in heroin and crack cocaine. The court heard that the thug was naked and high on drugs when he repeatedly punched a police officer who tried to arrest him on January 31 after cops were called to his home following reports he was arguing with his partner in the garden.

36. Luke Lockwood

Luke Lockwood, 21, of Rington Road, Beeston, was jailed for four years and eight months after admitting Section 20 GBH without intent, and dealing in heroin and crack cocaine. The court heard that the thug was naked and high on drugs when he repeatedly punched a police officer who tried to arrest him on January 31 after cops were called to his home following reports he was arguing with his partner in the garden. | West Yorkshire Police/Google

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