March 2021

Leeds child rapist brought to justice more than a decade after sexually abusing two youngsters

A pervert from Leeds that sexually abused two very young children has been sentenced

Steven Bladen was aged between 17 and 19 when he abused the children, who were both under the age of 10.

The 28-year-old was jailed for six years and nine months after pleading guilty to:

• Raping a girl under the age of 13

• Attempting to rape a girl under the age of 13

• Sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13

Leeds Crown Court heard the offending took place between 2009 and 2011.

Matthew Bean, prosecuting, said the children were abused separately and Bladen of Mardale Crescent, Seacroft, Leeds, would first isolate them in a bedroom.

Mr Bean said there was also an element of grooming behaviour in the offending.

Bladen’s father once told the second victim to ‘shut up about [the abuse]’, saying he and his wife would be in trouble if the authorities found out about it.

The victims were both teenagers by the time they reported the abuse to police.

One of the victims attended court to watch her abuser being jailed.

Judge Simon Batiste praised her courage in attending court, adding: “I wish you all the best for the future.”

Bladen was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.