Former Sunday Telegraph deputy news editor Ben Leapman (pictured by Mike Gunnill) has been convicted of raping a woman after previously being found guilty of downloading child sex abuse images.
The Kent Messenger reports that Charles Danniells-Smith, defending, told the court Leapman sought “pressure release” by getting involved in a fantasy world after “single-handedly uncovering” the MPs’ expenses scandal.
The 43-year-old former journalist was convicted of one specimen rape charge by an 11-1 majority and acquitted of two others. He denied all three charges.
Judge Martin Joy adjourned for sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court until September, according to the Kent paper. Leapman has been remanded in custody pending sentencing.
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The Kent Messenger successfully applied for the judge to lift an t order enabling it to report on Leapman’s previous convictions from last August for four offences of making indecent photos of a child and four of publishing an obscene article.
He was sentenced for the previous offence last August to nine months in prison, suspended for 12 months, with supervision and was also ordered to complete an internet sex offender course.
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