A stalker who harassed a family for years after he was evicted from their private land has been jailed.

Leo Deen appeared at Chester Crown Court today (May 7) where he was sentenced to four years in prison.

The 61-year-old carried out smear campaigns on social media, staged rooftop protests, erected signs and banners accusing the victim and council of corruption and on one occasion, even started a fire.

Detective Constable Katie Ashcroft, from the Harm Reduction Unit, said: "I am pleased the courts have recognised the severity of Deen's actions, and welcome the sentence handed by the courts in this case.

"It has been a long road for the victims in this case; they have been subjected to years of torment and have been courageous and dignified throughout.

"I hope that these convictions and sentence bring the family some closure and that they are able to move forwards with a more peaceful life away from Deen's influence within it.

"Throughout these events Deen has frequently presented himself as the victim of fraud and corruption; he tried to vilify the victims and present himself as wronged. This is in stark contrast to the reality. The evidence has shown Deen has used every means at his disposal to continually harass and intimidate his victims after they lawfully evicted him from their land to which he'd been refusing to leave.

"Deen's actions crossed the line from lawful protest, to stalking, not only impacting the victims he was targeting, but also his local community. He has now been held accountable for those actions."

Leo Deen (Credit: Cheshire Police)

Deen had been living on a piece of land belonging to the family for several years, repeatedly refusing to leave.

In late 2023, Deen was issued with an eviction notice after a lengthy court process.

He then began a campaign on social media, publishing malicious content about the victims and authorities, repeatedly accusing them of corruption and expressing his desire for 'justice'.

Deen also harassed the victims by delivering letters to their home addresses.

On October 13, 2023, Deen began the first of several rooftop protests against his eviction, climbing to the roof of shop on a local high street and erecting signs accusing the local council and victims of fraud.

Deen erected similar banners outside of the victim's home addresses and throughout the Macclesfield area, some of which contained the family's personal details.

The court were told that after Deen left the land, the victims used haybales to restrict unauthorised accessed. On October 17, 2023, the family were informed that these haybales had been set alight, with videos of them burning posted on Deen's social media.

On October 25, 2023, Deen climbed on top of a building containing offices of the local council, erecting further banners. The court heard how Deen remained camped above the council offices overnight leading to the building being closed over safety concerns, and council operations needing to be moved to other sites.

Deen was arrested after descending from the roofed area.

A banner made by Deen (Credit: Cheshire Police)

On November 29, 2023, Cheshire Police's Harm Reduction Unit successfully obtained a Stalking Protection Order protecting the victims and banning Deen from publishing or displaying anything identifying them.

The court heard how Deen breached this order in December 2023 when he published the contents of the related court paperwork on his social media which identified the victims.

Deen was arrested for this breach in December 2024 and subsequently convicted.

After several months of further investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised police to charge Deen with Stalking involving Serious Alarm / Distress, and Intentionally / Recklessly Causing a Public Nuisance in relation to his actions at the council offices.

On December 10, 2024, Deen appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to both offences due to the overwhelming evidence against him.

Signs created by Deen (Credit: Cheshire Police)

Deen has now been handed a four-year prison sentence, comprised of 28 months for the sexual offences he was found guilty of on Friday (May 2) and 20 months for the stalking offences.

He was also handed indefinite restraining orders and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Sergeant Nichola McClellan said: "Leo Deen is a resentful stalker who believed he was the victim of a conspiracy between his victims, police and the local authority.

"Nothing could be further from the truth, and Deen's choices ruined the lives of several members of a family which caused misery for the same local community he professes to care about. Leo Deen's behaviour - which lasted for years - was shrewd and unscrupulous. He will now have considerable time to contemplate the choices he made."

Detective Chief Inspector Danielle Knox added: "This sentence demonstrates the commitment that Cheshire Police and the Harm Reduction Unit Investigations team have in bringing offenders to justice who commit stalking offences leaving no stone unturned in their work. The strength shown by the victims in this case is rightly recognised and I hope this shows that we will take all reports of stalking seriously and encourage victims to report their concerns to us even if they may not be sure it is stalking."