David Hedges, 57, sentenced to 28 years in prison for molesting girls for decades | The New Blackmore Vale Magazine

DAVID Hedges has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for abusing girls – including one under the age of 13 – for decades.

The 57-year-old, from Dilton Marsh, had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and four counts of indecently treating the same girl on at least 17 occasions.

The abuses occurred over many years, in the 1990s and 2000s.

On Tuesday (July 2) at Salisbury Crown Court, Hedges was sentenced to 28 years in prison, with an additional year of non-parole.

He will have to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before he is eligible for parole, after which his case will be heard.

In addition to the prison sentence, he must also comply with requirements to be a registered sex offender, comply with the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and an order indefinitely banning him from further contact with children.

Detective Inspector Graham Mansell, of Wiltshire Police, said: “I welcome this sentence as it reflects the seriousness of these crimes and the impact they have had on the victims.

“While prison sentences eventually end, longer-term protection is provided by orders that additionally prohibit future contact with children.

“This case concerns the most appalling sexual abuse of very young children, over a period of several years. Steps taken in 2005 prevented further abuse, but there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.

“The investigation was reopened in 2017 after victims bravely came forward and gave statements to detectives from the child abuse investigation team.

“Despite the abuse they endured, the victims found the strength and courage to come forward, which ultimately led to their perpetrator being found guilty.

“Once the victims were able to give statements, the investigation could continue and their perpetrator could be brought to justice.”

Detective Inspector Mansell thanked the victims for their “incredible courage” in coming forward and telling the court about their “most distressing and traumatic events”.

“Thanks to their skills, it was possible to successfully prosecute the case, which resulted in today’s verdict,” he added.

“This could not have been achieved without their resilience and perseverance. Without their evidence, the prosecution of their perpetrator would have remained impossible.

“I would also like to thank the members of the jury who had to deal with the overwhelming evidence in this case and without whom criminals like Hedges could not have been brought to justice.

“I hope this case can inspire confidence that the victims of recent sexual abuse will be trusted, that the police will be persistent in their pursuit of justice and will conduct a thorough investigation. If there is sufficient evidence, criminal proceedings will be initiated.

“Thankfully, crimes of this type are rare, but they are an important reminder that there is a small minority of people who sexually exploit and abuse children, even very young children.

Wiltshire Constabulary will continue to do everything it can to bring child abusers to justice and to protect children and victims of abuse.

“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who may have been a victim of sexual harassment to report it to the police.

“We will investigate, provide all available support and do everything we can to bring such offenders to justice.”

To report sexual harassment, contact the police on 101.

Victims can also seek help and advice from the Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Abuse Response Centre (SARC) on 01793 781916.