‘Pop mogul groped me’ liar loses appeal over prison term

An unemployed dance teacher who falsely accused X Factor judge Louis Walsh of groping him in a nightclub has lost an appeal against his six month prison sentence.

By The Newsroom

Published 7th Jul 2012, 07:00 BST

Leonard Watters pleaded guilty to making two false reports to gardai that the pop music mogul sexually assaulted him in Dublin nightspot Krystle in April 2011.

Judge Katherine Delahunt told the 25-year-old she was increasing his sentence to 11 months, but suspended the last five on condition he co-operates with probation services and enters an alcohol rehabilitation programme.

Watters, Navan, Co Meath, showed no emotion as he was taken away by prison guards from the Circuit Court in Dublin. Watters falsely accused Walsh of sexually assaulting him in the toilet of the celebrity nightclub, Krystle, after a Westlife concert.

Two months later he made two official reports to gardai and went to the The Irish Sun newspaper with his story.

But within days Watters was shown CCTV footage from the club that disputed his claims and he admitted he had made up the allegation.