Seven years for paedophile who disappeared in ‘Perrin’ charade

Leslie Andrews, 54, wanted people to believe he had drowned in the sea at Blackpool when he parked his car nearby and left his clothing and a suicide note on the beach.

The former café owner went on the run for eight years after abusing a young girl as he changed his name but his true identity was flagged up when he was arrested in West Yorkshire for a petty crime.

In May a jury at Preston Crown Court found him guilty of 14 counts of indecent assault committed between May 1997 and May 2002.

Giving evidence in the trial by videolink, his now grown-up victim – who cannot be named for legal reasons – told the jury: “He knows and I know he’s guilty. He’s not man enough to deal with his guilt just like he wasn’t man enough and did a Reggie Perrin.”

Sentencing Andrews, Judge Norman Wright said: “When these matters came to light, you decided you were not going to face the music.

“You disappeared and acted out an elaborate charade around Blackpool beach to put people off the scent.

“Your victim was young and vulnerable. She was a little girl who did not know what was happening but knew something was not right. She was your sexual plaything for some five years or so and you have to pay the price.”

The judge said the “worrying features” of the case were his “controlling, manipulative and predatory behaviour”.

He said Andrews became “emboldened” when the victim initially raised concerns that he had inappropriately kissed her, but did not pursue the matter.

“This was a shot across the bows, but you were emboldened and you thought you could get away with it,” he said.

Andrews’s victim burst into tears after sentence was passed.

The defendant kept a low profile from May 2002 as he changed his name to Christopher Trent and refused to visit a doctor or dentist, or use his National Insurance number.

It is understood he moved around on a regular basis taking cash-in-hand jobs and lived at addresses – including caravan parks – throughout Yorkshire, Humberside and Greater Manchester.

He was traced last May in Wakefield when he was arrested on suspicion of theft and his previous history of petty offending was uncovered.

Two police officers had knocked on the front door of his flat in St Heliers Road, Blackpool, in 2002. They informed him of the sexual allegations and said he would have to be questioned in the near future.

Instead, a few days later, Andrews drove the short distance towards Lytham St Annes and parked his red Ford Escort near the Pontins holiday centre.

The 6ft 6in Andrews then headed across to the beach and towards the Irish Sea where he left his personal items and then disappeared – just like the fictional character Perrin.

Andrews admitted the suicide ruse at his trial but told the court he wanted to start a new life because of his mounting debts and marital problems.

He told no one of his scheme and left his wife and family as he cut off all contact with them.

Andrews went on to have relationships with at least two women who were unaware of his real identity.

Andrews was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and restricted from contact with any child aged under 16.