COLIN WILKES FROM HEREFORD FACES SEXUAL OFFENCE CHARGES AT WORCESTER CROWN COURT
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Hereford community, Colin Wilkes, a former educator at Hereford Cathedral School, appeared before Worcester Crown Court to face serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor.The proceedings took place on a Thursday, where Wilkes, aged 57, acknowledged his involvement in multiple sexual offences committed against a single young victim.
Wilkes, who previously taught art at the school and resides on Wyevale Way in the Stretton Sugwas area of Hereford, admitted to five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child by someone in a position of trust.
These charges are particularly grave given the nature of the offences and the trust placed in him as an educator.
The indictment included counts that involved multiple incidents, indicating that the criminal acts spanned more than one occasion, although they were consolidated into single charges for each type of offence.
The first count involved Wilkes kissing the young girl when she was under the age of 18, specifically at 17 years old.
The second count detailed at least three separate instances where Wilkes engaged in inappropriate touching of the victim’s intimate areas.
The third count also involved sexual activity on at least three occasions, further emphasizing the repeated nature of the misconduct.
Additional charges revealed that Wilkes was subjected to sexual acts performed upon him on at least three separate occasions, and the fifth count involved full sexual intercourse occurring on at least three different occasions.
All these offences are alleged to have taken place over a decade ago, highlighting the long-standing nature of the case and the significant passage of time since the incidents occurred.
Wilkes was granted bail during the proceedings, with strict conditions that prohibit any contact—direct or indirect—with the complainant.
He is also required to remain at his home address, which was disclosed during the court hearing.
As part of his legal obligations following his conviction, Wilkes will be required to register as a sex offender.
This entails notifying police authorities of his name, address, and date of birth within three days of his conviction.
The judge presiding over the case, Martin Jackson, decided to adjourn the sentencing until September 4, to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service.
However, Judge Jackson issued a stern warning to Wilkes, stating that the delay in sentencing does not guarantee a lenient outcome.
He cautioned Wilkes that he should be prepared for the possibility of an immediate custodial sentence, reflecting the seriousness of the charges and the breach of trust involved in the case.
