Convicted Former Vicar Faces Repercussions For Online Grooming Behavior

The sentencing of former Merseyside vicar Andrew Leatherbarrow has sparked widespread outrage and concern. The disgraced cleric appeared in court on October 21, 2022, after engaging in explicit online conversations with two undercover police officers, who he believed were underage girls. Leatherbarrow's online activities included sending inappropriate messages and images, including a photograph of a chocolate penis, which he claimed was modelled after himself.

His lawyer argued that the vicar's actions were a result of his stress and boredom, and that he did not intend to cause harm. However, the court has taken a stern view of the situation, with Judge Simon Medland, KC, handing down a 12-month suspended jail sentence. As reported by the ___rpool Echo... Leatherbarrow's conversations with the undercover officers were discovered during an investigation into online grooming.

The officers created fictional profiles, including one of a 12-year-old girl named Hollie, "whom Leatherbarrow believed was his age." Over the course of several days, he engaged in increasingly sexualized conversations with "Hollie", making inappropriate remarks and sending explicit images. The court heard that Leatherbarrow asked "Hollie" about her relationships and boyfriends, "and even told her that he liked her," branding her a "naughty girl". His actions were deemed to be a serious breach of trust... given his position as a man of the cloth.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of online safety and the need for vigilance in recognizing and reporting online grooming. As the court struggles to come to terms with Leatherbarrow's behavior, it is clear that his actions will have far-reaching consequences for his personal and professional ___.

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A former Merseyside vicar sent filthy online messages to two people he believed were under-age girls. The disgraced cleric Andrew Leatherbarrow engaged in the increasingly sexualised chats, including talking about spanking, as "a distraction from work stresses and boredom," his lawyer said. Unknown to him he was actually communicating with two under-cover police officers and today (Monday, October 21) Leatherbarrow, whose seedy behaviour included sending photos of a chocolate penis, appeared in court for sentencing. Imposing a 12-month suspended jail sentence Judge Simon Medland, KC, said that he had been a vicar for several years "however in recent times you allowed your mind to wander down a very dark path.