February 2023

Pervert who paid three young boys to strip while filming them jailed

 

A pervert who paid three young boys to strip while filming them has been jailed following a police investigation. 

The first incident happened in in Huncoat Geenway, just off Bolton Avenue, at around 5.15pm on October 2. 

Leigh Pilkington, 47, approached the two victims – one being just eight years old – while they were playing in a stream and began filming them.

Firstly asking them if they wanted to make some money, Pilkington told them to take their shoes off and stand in the stream for a “YouTube dare”. 

After giving one of the victims £1.50, Pilkington then told the boys to take off their T-shirts and lie in the water, which they did.

Pilkington then gave one of the victims £5, before telling both boys to take their pants off and sit in the water. 

With both victims being hesitant to do this, Pilkington responded by telling them to get naked. 

At this stage both victims began to panic with one describing himself as shaking and unable to move. 

Pilkington was at that point disturbed by a dog walker and he left the area. 

He was identified by police officers and his mobile phone was seized. 

Although Pilkington had deleted the video from Huncoat Greenway, our officers did recover two videos of a third boy filmed in Accrington. 

During the video Pilkington dares the victim to take his shoes off and dance for money. After the victim does this Pilkington thanks him and gives him two £1 coins. 

During the second video, which was filmed a short time later, Pilkington asks the victim to take his top off and dance again, which he does.

Pilkington then tells the child to “drop his trousers”, which he refuses to do. Pilkington tries to convince him by offering to give him £20 but again the child refuses.

Pilkington then gives him £10 and leaves the area. 

After extensive work, officers identified the child as attending a local primary school. 

Pilkington did not know any of his victims. They have all since received support from specially-trained officers. 

During a search of Pilkington’s home, police found a Wicker clothing basket filled with children’s clothes including a brownies and rainbows top despite there being no children living at the address.  

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Pilkington, of Walton Street, Accrington, was charged with three counts of inciting a boy under 13 to engage in a sexual activity. 

He pleaded guilty to all three offences and was jailed for 40 months.

Pilkington was also made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and told to sign the Sex Offender Register for life.