Court round-up: Kidnapper jailed, revenge gang sentenced and child sex offender locked up
A man jailed after tracking and kidnapping a woman, four men sentenced over a planned revenge attack, a child sex offender and a drug dealer caught by a police drone are among the latest cases heard in Yorkshire courts.
A number of serious criminal cases have recently been heard in courts across Yorkshire. Here is a round-up of some of the latest sentences and hearings.
Man jailed after tracking woman to York hotel and kidnapping her
A man who tracked a woman to a York hotel before assaulting and kidnapping her has been jailed for six years.
Leon Harvey, 43, from Scunthorpe, followed the woman to the hotel on September 13, 2025, before marching her outside, where he punched and kicked her, causing injuries to her face, lip and knee.
Harvey took the woman's mobile phone and told her she had to come with him in his vehicle. Police soon caught up with the vehicle and arrested him, finding him in possession of the woman's phone and keys.
Digital forensic examination of Harvey's phone uncovered tracking apps, including Find My Phone, as well as emails showing he had subscribed to tracking companies.
Harvey denied kidnapping or assaulting the woman and pleaded not guilty, but was convicted following a four-day trial in April.
At York Crown Court on Thursday (Aug 6), he was sentenced to six years in prison and given a 20-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.
Four jailed over revenge attack that left friend dead
Four men have been jailed for conspiring to seriously injure a Leeds man in a planned revenge attack which ended with the death of one of their own group.
Dylan Earp, Jack Rider, Tray Plummer, Jack Stretton and Harry Abbott had agreed to seriously injure Alfie Milburn in retaliation for previous assaults on members of their group, a court heard.
On October 8, 2025, the five travelled to Milburn's home in Seacroft in a stolen Ford Focus fitted with false number plates. Earp remained behind the wheel while the other four, with their faces covered and armed with knives and machetes, pursued Milburn.
Out of sight of CCTV cameras, Milburn fatally stabbed Abbott in the back. Milburn was later convicted of Abbott's manslaughter and sentenced on June 1 to a 14-year extended custodial sentence.
Earp, 20, was jailed for six years and nine months and disqualified from driving for three years and 10 months. Rider, 19, was jailed for five years and four months, Plummer, 24, for five years and eight months, and Stretton, 28, for seven years and six months.
Detective Superintendent Matt Holdsworth said the group had decided to "take the law into their own hands", adding that their choice to resort to violence had led to the death of their friend.
Man jailed for sexually assaulting 13-year-old girl
A Leeds man has been jailed after sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl on Boxing Day.
Anthony Higo, 43, sexually assaulted the girl on December 26, 2023. She reported the assault to police the following month, leading to Higo's arrest.
Higo was charged and found guilty of sexual assault by touching.
At Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday (Aug 5), he was sentenced to 21 months in prison and placed on the sex offenders register. He was also made subject to a restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
In a victim personal statement, the girl described the lasting impact of the abuse, including difficulties sleeping, struggling to get out of bed for school and feeling frightened when home alone.
Detective Constable Heather Richmond praised the survivor's "genuine bravery and determination" in coming forward and supporting the prosecution.
Drug dealer caught by police drone in Middlesbrough park
A drug dealer caught by a police drone carrying out a crack cocaine deal in a Middlesbrough park has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Cleveland Police deployed the drone over Albert Park following reports of drug dealing on February 16.
Junior Lavin, 19, was caught by the drone pulling up on an electric bike and carrying out a drug deal before attempting to flee from plain-clothed officers.
He was arrested following a short foot pursuit. Officers recovered more than 30 deals of crack cocaine and seized an electric bike, while a second electric bike was recovered during a subsequent search of an address.
Lavin was charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, possession of criminal property and driving without a licence or insurance.
At Teesside Crown Court on Monday (Aug 3), he was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years.