A CHILD abuser claimed his conviction was ‘unsafe’ because his victim was ‘led’ by a police officer during a harrowing interview.

Leigh Edwards, 29, of Tinglebrook Close, Madley, was jailed for four years at Hereford Crown Court in March of last year.

He was convicted of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration but was acquitted of three other charges.

Lawyers for Edwards this week argued at London’s Appeal Court that his conviction was ‘unsafe’.

The judge should have stopped the trial at the end of the prosecution case as there was ‘insufficient evidence’ to safely convict Edwards, they said.

“Penetration was not mentioned by the complainant at all until led by the officer”, claimed his barrister.

Judge Julian Goose QC said the trial judge had “carefully” considered the application to stop the case but decided to trust the jury.

The appeal judge agreed that it was “a proper issue for the jury to determine”.

Judge Goose, who was sitting with Lady Justice Macur and Mr Justice Nicol, concluded: “We are satisfied the conviction was safe.”