Care home staff sentenced after teen incited into sexual activity andgiven drugs in St Helens

Two members of staff at a care home in St Helens have been jailed following an investigation into reports a teenage resident was incited into sexual activity and given ketamine and cannabis.

Lindy Leah, 44 years, of Capesthorne Road, Warrington, was a key worker and assistant manager of a privately-run children’s care home on Lingmell Avenue, which has since closed.

Her phone was seized by officers investigating the supply of drugs, but after downloading information from the device detectives found thousands of messages exchanged with a teenage child, many of them sexualised and speaking about giving him and others drugs

An investigation by the Criminal and Child Sexual Exploitation Team (CCSET) at Merseyside Police followed during which further evidence was gathered and witnesses spoken to.

Both Leah and Morgan Quigley, a support worker at then home, aged 29 years, of Cooperage Close, Liverpool pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class B drugs (ketamine). Leah additionally admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis resin.

Leah had denied the charge of abuse of a position of trust - causing/inciting sexual activity with a boy aged 13 to 17.

But following a trial, Leah was found guilty and on Monday 15 September appeared at Liverpool Crown Court where she was sentenced to 23 months. Quigley was given a 12-month community order, ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days, and given a 12-month mental health treatment requirement on Tuesday 16 September.

Detective Inspector Tony Meakins, from the Criminal and Child Sexual Exploitation Team, said: “Our Criminal and Child Sexual Exploitation Team conducted an exhaustive investigation into the actions of both Leah and Quigley.

“In the case of Leah, the evidence demonstrated a completely inappropriate relationship that she had instigated with a teenage boy at the care home, who she went on to meet away from the home.

“Despite denying the allegations, Leah was found guilty of an utterly appalling course of conduct.

“Her role at the home meant she should have been playing a leading role in ensuring the often vulnerable residents were protected and supported.

“Instead, she chose to sexually exploit the victim and even – alongside Quigley - ply him and other young people with drugs.

“The impact on victims in cases such as this can be significant and long-lasting, and I hope this sentence provides some comfort to him and his family.”

Det Insp Tony Meakins added “We are completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and bringing those who seek to do them harm to justice.

“If you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being exploited in any way, please come forward and report this to police.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”

If you are a child or young person suffering sexual or physical abuse, the following organisations can also provide help and support:
NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail [email protected].
Childline – call 0800 1111

If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind don’t be afraid to tell someone, find the courage to come forward and get the help you deserve.

You can report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences anonymously here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/how-to-report-rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

There is a lot of support available from specialist officers within Merseyside Police and through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service delivered jointly by two registered charities.

In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.

Merseyside Police also works with other UK forces, agencies and the Child Exploitation Online Protection centre as well as law enforcement agencies across the world who share our determination to protect children from dangerous offenders online.

Here is a guide by Merseyside Police and The National Crime Agency's CEOP Education team on how to help protect children and young people from online child sexual abuse:
• https://www.merseyside.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse/online-child-abuse/
• https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/