Man jailed for stalking and sexual activity

A man from Cheshire has been jailed for four years over a series of stalking and sexual offences.

Leo Deen, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday for stalking a family for years after he was evicted from their private land.

The sentence comprised 20 months for stalking offences and public nuisance, as well as 28 months for three counts relating to attempted sexual activity with a child.

The 61-year-old was given an indefinite restraining order and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Cheshire Police said Deen was living on a piece land belonging to the family for several years, and repeatedly refused to leave.

In late 2023, he was issued with an eviction notice and began a campaign on social media, publishing malicious content about the victims and local authority - accusing them of corruption and expressing his desire for "justice".

Deen also harassed his victims by delivering numerous letters to their home addresses.

He went on to stage several rooftop protests against his eviction, climbing onto the roof of a high street shop and also onto a council office building.

He erected signs accusing his victims and the local council of fraud, and directed members of the public to his social media accounts.

Deen erected similar banners outside the victim's home addresses and throughout the local area, some of which contained their personal details.

He was given a stalking prevention order in November 2023, but breached this the following month when he published the contents of court paperwork on social media that identified his victims.

In December 2024, he pleaded guilty to stalking, as well as public nuisance in relation to his protest at the council offices.

"Leo Deen is a resentful stalker who believed he was the victim of a conspiracy between his victims, police and the local authority," said Det Sgt Nichol McClellan.

She added: "Nothing could be further from the truth, and Deen's choices ruined the lives of several members of a family, which caused misery for the same local community he professes to care about."

Deen was also found guilty on Friday in relation to a number of sexual offences, following a trial in April.

Police said in October 2023 a woman set up a Facebook profile posing as a 15-year-old girl and interacted with Deen's profile.

Deen started asking about sex with her and tried to video call her a number of times.

During one occasion he appeared to be performing a sexual act, according to police.

Det Con Brett Oliver said: "Deen was told the Facebook user was 15 and he turned the conversation to a sexual nature.

"He even video called her several times, and the one time she did answer he was committing a sexual act, with the knowledge she was 15.

"He even told her to be a good girl at school.

"He certainly should not be trying to engage in sexual behaviour with a child.

"There is no excuse and that is why he is now facing the consequences of this dangerous predatory behaviour."

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