St Helens care home worker jailed for sexual activity with teen

A woman who worked at a care home has been jailed for plying a teenage boy with ketamine and cannabis and inciting him to engage in sexual activity.

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

Her full crimes were revealed when police seized her phone during a drugs investigation.

Leah was jailed for 23 months after she was convicted of inciting sexual activity with a boy aged 13 to 17. She denied the charge but admitted supplying class B and C drugs.

Merseyside Police said Leah and support worker colleague Morgan Quigley, 29, of Cooperage Close, Liverpool, both admitted supplying ketamine while Leah additionally admitted supplying cannabis.

Det Insp Tony Meakins, from the force’s criminal and child sexual exploitation team, said Leah had “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.”

Quigley was given a 12-month community order and was ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days.

She was also given a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.