DARREN PURCHASE SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN WORCESTER FOR SERIES OF SEX CRIMES AGAINST MULTIPLE VICTIMS

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Worcester, Darren Purchase, a 45-year-old man formerly residing on Hayfield Close, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence of 20 years after being convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses spanning over two decades.

Purchase was found guilty of committing a total of 15 separate offenses, which included acts of sexual assault and rape against eight different individuals. The crimes ranged from the abuse of a 13-year-old boy during the 1980s to the assault of a woman in 2009, illustrating a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that persisted for more than 25 years.

The court proceedings revealed that Purchase's criminal activities were not limited to recent years. Among the charges was an incident in 1984 involving the indecent assault of a nine-year-old girl. Additionally, he was convicted of raping a woman in 2009, further demonstrating the breadth of his offending over the years.

During the sentencing at Worcester Crown Court, the judge emphasized the severity of Purchase’s crimes and ordered that he must sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his activities following his release from prison.

The court heard harrowing details of how Purchase groomed a 13-year-old boy during the 1980s, subjecting him to abuse over a period of six years, which included rape. The victim’s courage in coming forward played a crucial role in bringing Purchase to justice.

Purchase’s arrest last year was triggered when his victim contacted the police, revealing that in addition to the abuse, Purchase had subjected him to substance misuse, including sniffing glue, heavy drinking, and smoking cannabis. This revelation prompted a wider investigation that uncovered additional victims who had tried to conceal their suffering.

Detective Inspector Jon Wallis of West Mercia Police commented on the case, stating, “From this first report, we were quickly able to identify many other victims, some who had tried to bury what happened to them in their past. Purchase abused boys, girls, and women and seems to have been completely indiscriminate in whom he targeted, except that most of his victims were vulnerable in some way and Purchase ruthlessly took advantage of that.”

He further expressed gratitude to those who supported the prosecution, acknowledging the bravery of the victims who testified in court. “Their evidence means we could put a stop to Purchase’s relentless offending and, I think, stop many others from becoming his victims,” Wallis added.

Purchase’s sentencing marks a significant step in addressing the long history of abuse and serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and support for victims of sexual crimes in Worcester and beyond.