BAFTA-nominated TV director who worked on Emmerdale and Coronation Street groomed teen boy online
Lee Salisbury, 46, met the teenager at a film course where the defendant was promoted as a “star guest”.
The three-time British Soap Award winner has worked on Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Holby City and EastEnders and has his own podcast interviewing TV stars.
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Hide AdProsecutor Ella Embleton said the boy followed Salisbury on Instagram and received a message form him which said: ”Well done mate, you were great.”
Bradford Crown Court heard that Salisbury, who had a cocaine addiction at the time, messaged the boy again and asked if he used the Telegram app.
Ms Embleton said Salisbury told the complainant he had previously worked with One Direction star Harry Styles and had “seen him naked on several occasions.”
Although the boy didn’t know what to say, he felt he needed to stay in contact with Salisbury due to his industry expertise and contacts, she told the court.
Ms Embleton said the boy told Salisbury his age.
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Hide AdMs Embleton said there were further messages via Snapchat and the conversation started to become more sexualised. Salisbury asked the boy how big his genitalia was and asked about his sexuality and whether he slept naked or not.
The court heard that Salisbury, of Bradford, told the youngster he had seen another boy in his boxer shorts. He asked his victim if he had his number because he wanted to offer him a part, the court heart.
Salisbury would try to contact the complainant during the early hours and though he didn’t answer, he would find the missed calls on his phone the next morning.
An examination of Salisbury’s phone revealed searches relating to how to recover of Telegram messages and how to get text messages thrown out of court.
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Hide AdThe victim read out his own victim impact statement in which he said he had wanted to be a famous actor and that was why he messaged Salisbury. He said he now struggled to trust adults in the industry and was worried about something similar happening to other youngsters.
The boy said: “I looked up to people within the industry like Lee but now I struggle to trust what they say and do. None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for Lee. It’s made me angry.”
Salisbury, who had no previous convictions, admitted the charge of sexual communication with a child.
His barrister David Outterside said his client wanted to state on the record his full apology for his behaviour. He said Salisbury was a hard-working man who had built up a very good career over 25 years.
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Mr Outterside added: “He’s worked hard and of course he’s shattered all of that by this offence."
He said Salisbury was "reeling from the end of his marriage" at the time and his long-standing cocaine habit got worse. Since the offence Salisbury was said to have sought help for his drug addiction and hadn’t taken cocaine for months, Mr Outterside said.
He added: “Mr Salisbury is appalled by what he did."
Mr Outterside submitted there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and urged Recorder Abdul Iqbal KC to avoid an immediate prison sentence.
The judge decided that a prison sentence of 12 months could be suspended for 18 months. Salisbury must do 150 hours unpaid community work and comply with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
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Hide AdThe judge ordered him to pay £2,000 compensation to the victim, which is understood will be donated to charity, and he will have to pay £1000 costs.
Salisbury will be barred form working with children and vulnerable adults and he will have to comply with a sexual harm prevention order for the next five years. He will also have to register as a sex offender with the police for the next 10 years.