Despicable man raped 'vulnerable' seven-year-old girl as she slept

This is the face of a convicted rapist, who has shown 'no remorse' for the heinous offence he committed against a ‘vulnerable’ seven-year-old girl.

After a Sheffield Crown Court jury found Leslie Winfindale guilty of raping the girl, the 57-year-old was given almost two months to reflect on his offending behaviour - and its impact on his victim, who has spent more than 25 years traumatised by his actions.  But during a sentencing hearing held at the same court on November 23, 2023, Winfindale’s barrister, Vanessa Saxton, said he ‘still maintains his own position’.  Jailing Winfindale, Judge Sarah Wright told him: “It took a considerable amount of courage [for your victim] to speak up and give evidence, and she should be commended for that.”

“In contrast, you’ve shown no remorse…whatever sentence I pass, she will never recover her lost childhood or adolescence…she will never be fully healed.” 

Jurors found Winfindale guilty of a charge of rape of a female under 16 on September 29, 2023, following four hours and 13 minutes of deliberation.  Judge Wright said that after seeing Winfindale’s victim give evidence during the course of the trial, she has ‘no doubts whatsoever that she has suffered severe psychological harm’ as a consequence of the rape, which took place in ‘1985 or so’ when Winfindale, of Vale Road, Thrybergh, Rotherham, was aged 19. 

Judge Wright continued: “After she fell asleep, you raped her. Your offence has had a profound effect on her. She was unable to speak up. Your behaviour has affected her whole life, causing issues with relationships and her feeling unable to express her feelings, to the extent that, in due course, she attempted to take her own life. She suffers from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Anyone who heard her account could not fail to be moved by [hearing of] the trauma you have caused her,” Judge Wright said, adding that, in her view, the complainant - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was ‘vulnerable’ at the time of the offence. 

In mitigation, Ms Saxton referred Judge Wright to his psychological report, the contents of which were not disclosed in court. 

In response, Judge Wright said it is ‘clear’ Winfindale has ‘particular developmental difficulties,’ and that she would be ‘mindful’ of the sentencing guidelines relating to defendants with such conditions. 

She also noted that provisions were made for an intermediary to ‘assist’ Winfindale during his trial but he ‘disengaged with that process’. 

Ms Saxton told the court that Winfindale has caring responsibilities for his son, and suggested he is likely to be 'greatly' impacted by Winfindale being sent to prison. 

Sending him to begin a nine-year prison sentence, Judge Wright told Winfindale: “You know that only a substantial prison sentence is appropriate in relation to this very serious offence.”

Judge Wright also made Winfindale the subject of a one-year extended licence, bringing his total sentence to 10 years.  “You will be subject to the sex offenders’ register for the rest of your life,” Judge Wright added.