Mackay man Daniel Leech jailed for ‘scandalous’ relationship with 13yo girl

A child sex offender took advantage of a young teenage girl, and later told police he did not think it was a big deal to have sex with a minor because she consented. DETAILS

Now 40 Leech pleaded guilty to grooming a child under 16, five counts of penile intercourse with a child under 16, and two counts of stalking.

A child groomer and father of nine who took advantage of a young teenage girl, coaxing her into a sexual relationship and later telling police he did not think it was a big deal to have sex with a minor because she consented.

Mackay District Court heard then 39-year-old Daniel Leech also sent letters from prison to the girl, confessing his love and threatening to take his own life if she did not drop her complaint.

Judge Jennifer Rosengren ripped into Leech calling his continued communication with his victim and her parents from jail as “quite frankly scandalous, irrational and harmful”.

“Her father talks of her obvious loss of innocence at such a young age,” Judge Rosengren said.

The offending occurred in late 2021.

His gross conduct began with kissing, cuddling and exchanging text messages about smoking marijuana with the barely teen, who he also asked if she knew anyone who would “engage in sexual acts” with him.

The court heard Leech also supplied her with alcohol and drugs and told her she was sexy while trying to organise to hang out with the child, who he told over message that he loved her.

“She is a (young girl and) was telling you that she loved you too,” Judge Rosengren said.

“In one message you referred to her as your sexy baby girl.

“You were telling her to be careful as neither of you could afford to get caught.”

The court heard Leech had sex with the underage teen five times.

“You told her not to say anything and to deny it,” Judge Rosengren said.

“As far as you were concerned it was consensual.

“You went as far as blaming her and told (police) you didn’t think it was a big deal to have sex with her as a minor … because she was consenting.

“This is a very very concerning lack of insight.”

He has spent 488 days on remand for the offending.

The court heard while he was in custody he sent 22 letters to the young girl, accusing her of lying – in some of the letters he professed his love for the teen.

“You were begging her to help you get out of prison … in one letter you effectively blackmailed her saying that you didn’t think she realised what she was doing to you and that you would end up killing yourself,” Judge Rosengren said.

“In your communications with this young girl you maintained what you considered to be the justice of your position in engaging in totally unacceptable sexual conduct with this girl.

“It included accusing her of deliberately falsifying her complaints about your offending against her.”

Now 40, Leech, who had nine children from five women, pleaded guilty to grooming a child under 16, five counts of penile intercourse with a child under 16, and two counts of stalking.

“The brazenness of your conduct is demonstrated … in that (people could walk in) while you were in bed with her,” Judge Rosengren said.

The teen has since moved from Mackay “so she feels safe” and try to rebuild her life.

The court heard his criminal history involved entries for stalking, assault, and a deprivation of liberty against sisters who he held hostage in their Mackay region home while high on ice and armed with a machete.

The court heard he had a prejudicial childhood and had issues with drug addiction. Since being in custody he has been working and has completed a drug course.

He was jailed for 3.5 years with parole eligibility on April 19, 2024.

Originally published as Mackay man Daniel Leech jailed for ‘scandalous’ relationship with 13yo girl