A Wiltshire man who abused two girls has been handed a lengthy prison sentence.
David Hedges denied a string of charges relating to two victims over several years throughout 1990s and 2000s – but was convicted of by a jury.
The 57-year-old, of Fairhaven, Dilton Marsh, was found guilty of seven offences relating to the sexual abuse of two “very young and vulnerable” girls.
DC Graham Mansell said the case involved “the most abhorrent sexual abuse of very young children lasting for several years”.
He said that in 2005, steps were taken to prevent further abuse – but there was no enough evidence to pursue a prosecution at the time.
After both victims came forward in 2017, the case was reopened.
At Salisbury Crown Court today (Tuesday), Hedges was jailed for 28 years. He will be required to serve a minimum of two-thirds before being eligible to apply for parole.
In addition to the custodial sentence, he is also subject to the requirements of being a registered sex offender, conditions of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and conditions of a restraining order to prohibit future contact with children indefinitely.
DC Mansell continued: “I welcome this sentencing, as it reflects the seriousness of these offences and the impact they have had on the victims.
“Whilst custodial sentences ultimately end, longer term protection is provided by the orders which further prohibit contact with children in the future.
“The investigation was reopened in 2017 after the victims bravely came forwards and gave their evidence to detectives in the child abuse investigation team.
“Despite the abuse suffered, the victims were able to find the strength and courage to give their accounts which ultimately led to their abuser being found guilty. When the victims were able to give their evidence, the investigation could be pursued and their abuser prosecuted.
“I’d like to thank the victims for their incredible bravery in coming forward and recounting what are unquestionably the most distressing and traumatic incidents from a time when they were both very young and vulnerable.
“Their ability to do this made it possible to achieve a successful prosecution, resulting in today’s sentence. This could not have been achieved without their resilience and endurance. Without their evidence it would have remained impossible to prosecute their abuser.
“I’d also like to thank the members of the jury, who have to face the distressing evidence of the case and without whom offenders like Hedges could not be brought to justice.
“I hope this case can inspire confidence that victims of non-recent sexual abuse will be believed, the police will be tenacious in the pursuit of justice and will investigate thoroughly. Where there is sufficient evidence a prosecution will be pursued.
“Thankfully, crimes of this nature are rare, but it serves as an important reminder that there are a small minority of people who seek to sexually exploit and abuse children, even very young children.
“Wiltshire police will continue to do everything within its power to bring child abusers to justice and safeguard children and victims of abuse.
“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who may have been a victim of sexual abuse to report it to police.
We will investigate, provide you with the full support available, and do all that we can to bring such offenders to justice.”
