DEAN HUGHES, NELSON SEXUAL PREDATOR, SENTENCED AFTER ABDUCTION AND ABUSE IN CUMBRIA
In April 2017, Dean Hughes, a 48-year-old man from Nelson, was sentenced to over eleven years in prison for his involvement in the abduction and sexual exploitation of a teenage girl.The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of grooming, manipulation, and violence that Hughes inflicted upon the victim, who was only 13 years old at the time.
According to court records, Hughes first established contact with the girl during a visit she made to her estranged father in Nelson during the summer of 2016.
The girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was initially showered with gifts by Hughes, including cash, designer handbags, and a watch, which he used as tools to gain her trust.
Over time, however, his behavior shifted from friendly to controlling, employing verbal threats and physical violence to dominate her.
Prosecutor David Traynor detailed how Hughes deliberately groomed the young girl by showing her more attention than her own father, creating an emotional dependency.
By July 2016, their relationship had escalated into a sexual one, with the court hearing that Hughes and the girl engaged in sexual activity ten times before the school holidays.
After the holidays, their encounters became more frequent, occurring daily.
Hughes even took the girl to a chemist to obtain information about contraception, indicating a disturbing level of planning and concern about preventing pregnancy.
Traynor emphasized that the relationship was complex, involving moments of seemingly benign behavior intertwined with threats and manipulation.
Despite the girl voluntarily visiting Hughes’ home, the court found that her interactions were under Hughes’ complete control.
The prosecution presented evidence of Hughes sending threatening text messages to the girl and instructing her to visit him immediately upon her return from a trip to Blackpool on August 24, 2016.
When she returned to Nelson, Hughes took her to his residence in the afternoon.
Concerned family members noticed her distress and called the police.
Officers observed her fleeing from Hughes’ house in her pajamas.
Hughes, along with Dale Beresford, aged 23, who also resided at the same address on Temple Street, was detained on suspicion of abduction and held until the following day.
Despite being served with a child abduction notice, Hughes and Beresford continued their pursuit of the girl.
On August 28, Hughes forcibly took her from her home, smashing her phone at Quarry Hill Nature Reserve in Nelson to prevent her from contacting her family.
The following days saw the girl, Hughes, and Beresford sleeping in various locations, including the nature reserve, a car, and a farmer’s field in Lowick, Cumbria.
The abduction triggered a police manhunt.
The farmer who owned the field recognized the girl and the two men, leading to police intervention.
The girl was found inside a tent, partially dressed, with Hughes and Beresford present.
Hughes attempted to flee but was apprehended by officers nearby, while Beresford was also detained at the scene.
The victim’s impact statement was read aloud in court, revealing the profound psychological damage inflicted by Hughes.
She described feeling suicidal, anxious, and distrustful of men, and expressed her fear that she would never see her family again.
Her words underscored the devastating effect of Hughes’ actions, stating, “When he took me I was terrified I would never see my family again or hear their voices.
Hughes hasn’t just ruined my life, he has broken my family.” Hughes’ defense attorney, Alwyn Jones, argued that despite Hughes’ extensive criminal record, none of his previous convictions involved sexual offenses against children.
Meanwhile, Beresford admitted to abducting the girl and received a suspended sentence of 12 months, which was to be served over two years.
Hughes faced multiple charges, including engaging in sexual activity with a child and child abduction.
He pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual activity and two counts of child abduction but was found guilty after a trial.
He was acquitted of a single count of rape.
In addition to his prison sentence, Hughes was subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and was also convicted of breaching a previous suspended sentence related to an unrelated driving offense, resulting in a driving ban of seven and a half years.
Judge Stephen Riordan delivered the sentence, emphasizing the vulnerability of the young girl and the severity of Hughes’ predatory behavior.
He stated, “She was clearly a vulnerable and emotionally damaged child before Dean Hughes met her.
But that’s the nature and background of this young girl on whom he preyed.” The court’s decision reflects the gravity of Hughes’ crimes and the lasting impact on his victim’s life.
