Ex-social worker Brian O’Leary jailed for abuse of boy

A former head of social services has been jailed for nine years for historic sex offences against a boy.
Brian William O’Leary, 66, from Droitwich, was convicted at Worcester Crown Court after a week-long trial.

He was found guilty on four charges of indecent assault and one charge of a serious sexual offence between October 1979 and June 1980.

O’Leary, who worked for Wolverhampton City Council from 1991 until 2011, had denied the charges.

At the time, he was a social worker and his victim lived at a care home.

‘Sexual predator’

A former colleague at Wolverhampton City Council said the case was “distressing”.

Sarah Norman, the council’s strategic director for community, said: “This is a distressing case and our thoughts are with the victim and their family.

“We are committed to safeguarding children and take seriously any allegation against a professional, carer or volunteer in a position of trust regarding children or adults.

“All relevant employment checks were undertaken at the time of Mr O’Leary’s appointment to Wolverhampton in 1991 – and throughout his employment with the authority – and no concerns about his professional or personal conduct were raised during his time at the authority.

“Had any concerns been raised, they would of course have been subject to rigorous investigation.”

Speaking after sentencing, Det Insp Andy Price, from West Mercia Police, said: “O’Leary clearly saw an opportunity to take advantage. He was a sexual predator using the cover of his job as a social worker to commit the offences.

“He was in a position of trust which he exploited to befriend a young boy on the pretext of helping him.

“Instead, he subjected him to a prolonged series of sexual assaults.”