A paedophile warned two 11-year-old boys he would shoot them if they reported him for sex offences.

The boys were threatened by Leslie Head, 62, after they agreed to tidy his shed which had been burgled and ransacked.

While in the shed, Head gave the youngsters ice-cream and cigarettes, then fondled them over their clothing.

Despite the gun threat the boys were overheard discussing their ordeal in the school playground and police were later called to investigate.

Head, of Mill Lane, West Thurrock, pleaded guilty to two offences of indecent assault on the youngsters.

He was jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Prosecutor Noel Casey told Basildon Crown Court the boys also claimed Head warned them about shooting their families.

Head was determined the shooting threat got to the people who burgled his garden shed, said Mr Casey.

He added that Head was not found in possession of any guns. "It seems he made the threat to scare people away from his property."

Mr Casey said Head had previous convictions for molesting children and had served jail sentences of up to four years.

His barrister, Rachel Darby, told how Head and his partner were now planning to move away from the area.

Angry residents had invaded their home, hurling eggs and stones.

The couple were also subjected to a barrage of foul language.

Miss Darby said Head, himself the victim of child abuse, had suffered a series of heart attacks and a stroke since being remanded in prison nine months ago.

In jailing the defendant, Judge Philip Clegg told him: "I regard you as a danger to children. Those boys must have been terrified. Furthermore, you said you had a gun, and that must have been even more terrifying for them."

The judge said Head would be subjected to prison licence for six years. He must also have his name placed on the national sex offenders' register for life.

Published Monday January 19, 2004

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