A BRADFORD-based BAFTA-nominated television director has been given a suspended prison sentence after he admitted a charge of sexual communication with an underage boy.

Bradford Crown Court heard today how Lee Salisbury, 46, had met the teenager at a film course where the defendant was promoted as a “star guest”.

Salisbury had worked on popular television programmes such as Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Eastenders and prosecutor Ella Embleton said he was a winner of three British Soap Awards.

After the boy, who must not be identified, followed Salisbury on Instagram he received a message from the defendant saying: ”Well done mate, you were great.”

The court heard that Salisbury, who had a cocaine addiction at the time, messaged the boy again and asked if he used the Telegram app.

Ms Embleton said Salisbury told the complainant he had previously worked with One Direction star Harry Styles and had “seen him naked on several occasions". 

Although the boy didn’t know what to say he felt he needed to stay in contact with Salisbury due to his industry expertise and contacts.

The boy told Salisbury his age and Ms Embleton said a later examination of Salisbury’s phone revealed searches relating to how to recover Telegram messages and how you get text messages thrown out of court.

Ms Embleton said there were further messages via Snapchat and the conversation started to become more sexualised.

Salisbury asked the boy how big his genitalia was and asked about his sexuality and whether he slept naked or not.

The court heard that Salisbury, of Tong Lane, Bradford, told the youngster he had seen another boy in his boxer shorts and asked the complainant if he had his number because he wanted to offer him a part.

The defendant would try to contact the complainant during the early hours and though he didn’t answer he would find the missed calls on his phone the next morning.

During the hearing, the complainant read out his own victim impact statement in which he said he had wanted to be a famous actor and that was why he messaged Salisbury.

“I looked up to people within the industry like Lee but now I struggle to trust what they say and do,” said the boy.

He said he now struggled to trust adults in the industry and was worried about something similar happening to other youngsters.

“None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for Lee. It’s made me angry...” he said.

Salisbury, who had no previous convictions, admitted the charge of sexual communication with a child and his barrister David Outterside said his client wanted to state on the record his full apology for his behaviour.

He said Salisbury was a hard-working man who had built up a very good career over 25 years.

“He’s worked hard and of course he’s shattered all of that by this offence,” said Mr Outterside.

He said Salisbury had been reeling at the time from the end of his marriage and his long-standing cocaine habit got worse.

Since the offence, Salisbury was said to have sought help for his drug addiction and hadn’t taken cocaine for months.

“Mr Salisbury is appalled by what he did,” said Mr Outterside.

Mr Outterside submitted that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and urged Recorder Abdul Iqbal KC to avoid an immediate prison sentence.

The judge decided that a prison sentence of 12 months could be suspended for 18 months.

But Salisbury must do 150 hours unpaid community work and comply with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The judge ordered him to pay £2,000 compensation to the complainant, but it is understood that will be given to charity, and he will have to pay £1000 costs.

Due to his conviction, Salisbury will be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults and he will have to comply with a sexual harm prevention order for the next five years.

He will also have to register as a sex offender with the police for the next 10 years.