In a busy December for the county’s courts, here are three Hertfordshire criminals who have been jailed this month, including a paedophile who sexually assaulted people in the 1990s.
1. Steven Smith
Steven Smith has been jailed for 14 years after being found guilty of sexual assault offences on two women and a young boy in the 1990s in both Grantham and Arlesey.
The 48-year-old received a 14-year custodial sentence at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday, December 13, and will be on the Sex Offender’s Register for life.
“We are all incredibly pleased with this outcome,” said Detective Constable Hayley Carroll, from Bedfordshire Police’s Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team.
“It serves as an empowering reminder to all members of our community – victims and non-victims – that it is never too late to report a crime.”
2. Kian Leahy
Kian Leahy of Goldbeaters Grove, London, has been sentenced to two years behind bars for committing sexual offences against a Hertfordshire child.
The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child and five breaches of a Sexual Risk Order at Harrow Crown Court.
Leahy's communications with his then-14-year-old victim occurred between June 2021 and June 2022, receiving a one-year sentence for each count of sexual communication.
“The prison sentence the defendant received demonstrates not only the seriousness of the case, but will further prevent the exploitation of innocent children,” said DC Jemma Warburton.
3. Israel Campbell
Israel Campbell has been jailed for six years after being found in possession of a gun.
He was arrested at around 10am on Friday, September 30, after police officers identified a BMW 520D travelling through Hemel Hempstead with cloned plates.
Police followed the vehicle, which eventually parked at Royal Court.
When officers blocked the vehicle in and approached the driver's side, the 35-year-old stepped out of the car and made off on foot.
He was detained, with a bag containing a firearm, a balaclava and a pair of gloves was then discovered on Campbell's person.
Campbell pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate.
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