A man and woman have been handed extended prison sentences after being convicted of multiple serious child abuse offences, following a joint investigation involving UK authorities and the FBI.
Ann Bray, 62, of Newport, and Jonathan Leonard, 58, of no fixed address, were found to have groomed and exploited a child over a period of time.
The abuse was recorded and shared between the pair, with evidence uncovered through the forensic examination of their mobile phones.
The case came to light after American authorities intercepted illegal content being shared online.
This led to the involvement of the UK’s National Crime Agency, who arrested the pair in September 2024 and seized their digital devices.
The materials discovered during the investigation revealed a prolonged pattern of exploitation dating back to 2021.
During sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, the judge described the pair as posing a significant risk to children.
He said their behaviour represented a “toxic and abusive relationship rooted in the exploitation of a child,” and emphasized the need for lengthy custodial sentences to protect the public.
Both Bray and Leonard admitted to a number of offences, including creating and distributing indecent content, arranging child abuse, and other related crimes.
The court also heard that they had discussed their actions in private messages, with prosecutors presenting this as evidence of premeditation.
In victim impact statements read out in court, the young person and their family described the lasting emotional impact of the abuse.
Bray and Leonard were each given a 23-year extended sentence—15 years in custody and a further eight years on licence.
They will be required to serve at least two-thirds of the prison term before being considered for release, and both are now registered sex offenders for life.
If you are concerned about a child’s safety, please contact the NSPCC at 0808 800 5000 or visit nspcc.org.uk for confidential support.
