Leeds man, 51, jailed over historic sex abuse

Patrick Edwards, 51, was jailed for seven and a half years after being found guilty of six offences of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16.

A jury at Leeds Crown Court heard Edwards had sex with the youngster on multiple occasions over an eight-month period.

Edwards initially started a friendship with the teenager before grooming her for sex.

The court heard the victim later became “besotted” with Edwards.

He took advantage of her feelings for him by starting a sexual relationship with her.

Edwards, of Reginald Mount, Chapeltown, Leeds, was married and had a family at the time of the offending which took place during the mid 2000s.

Jailing Edwards, Recorder Simon Jackson, QC, said: “During this eight-month period you embarked on this criminal and sexually inappropriate relationship with this child.

“Despite her age, you were in your late thirties and formed initially a friendship with her but the relationship turned sexual.”

Edwards had sex with the victim at a house in Leeds and in his car.

The court heard the offending did not come to light until the victim reported the abuse to police years later.

Recorder Jackson said: “She became besotted with you. That was, I am satisfied, as a result of you grooming her. Grooming can take place in many ways, including providing emotional support. She became reliant upon you and that turned to sexual interest.

“She was a young child and by law she was your victim from first to last.” Gillian Batts, mitigating, said Edwards now suffered from mental health problems and would struggle with life in custody.

Edwards was also told he must go on the sex offender register for life.