DEAN PRENDERGAST: HORRIFIC HULL RAPIST RETURNS TO NORTH YORKSHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD AFTER EARLY RELEASE
In May 2019, the city of Hull was once again shaken by the return of Dean Prendergast, a man notorious for his heinous crimes, who has been released early from prison and is now residing in the northern part of Hull.Prendergast, aged 39, previously worked as a security guard at Kingswood Retail Park, a detail that adds a disturbing layer to his criminal history.
His release comes after serving approximately half of a four-and-a-half-year sentence handed down in 2016 for a brutal sexual assault.
The conviction stemmed from a harrowing incident at a house party, where Prendergast attacked a woman while she was asleep.
During the trial at Hull Crown Court, it was revealed that earlier in the evening, Prendergast had made unwanted advances towards the victim.
When she refused his advances, she went to sleep, only to wake up to find Prendergast naked and engaged in a sexual assault.
His chilling words to her at that moment were, “I know it’s wrong, but it feels so right,” a statement that underscored the predatory nature of his actions.
The victim, visibly distressed, attended the court to deliver an impact statement.
She expressed how the ongoing legal process and police updates continually reopened her emotional wounds.
She stated, “Any time I got a call from the police or the court to give me an update on the case, it was very upsetting and it would bring it all flooding back.
All I wanted to do was to move on with my life and put this all behind me, but I couldn’t.
I wanted to live my life without having to explain to people who weren’t in my close friends or family what I was going through, but I couldn’t.” Judge Mark Bury, presiding over the case, sentenced Prendergast to four and a half years in prison, emphasizing the severity of his crime.
The judge remarked, “You raped her while she was sleeping and she will no doubt remember that for the rest of her life.” Following the conviction, several of Prendergast’s former girlfriends came forward, describing him as possessive and controlling.
One ex-partner recounted that during a two-month relationship, he would become aggressive, banging on her door in the early hours, convinced she was with other men.
Another woman revealed that he ended their relationship when she took too long to respond to a message, despite her caring for her young daughter at the time.
Residents in the area of north Hull where Prendergast now resides expressed shock upon seeing him in their neighborhood.
Having served only half of his sentence, he is now on licence, meaning he remains under supervision in the community.
Additionally, he is registered as a sex offender for life, a measure that underscores the gravity of his crimes.
Back in November 2016, Prendergast’s disturbing online presence was exposed.
His profile on a dating website portrayed him as a “fun-loving man” seeking more than casual encounters, despite his violent history.
The profile included misleading statements such as “cold nights = cuddles” and expressed a desire to “date and get to know someone,” while explicitly stating he was not interested in “time wasters,” revealing a manipulative side.
During his trial, Prendergast admitted to drinking 20 bottles of Stella Artois lager and some Amaretto on the night of the assault, which may have contributed to his behavior.
The court’s sentencing judge, Mark Bury, reiterated the seriousness of the crime, stating, “You raped her while she was sleeping and she will no doubt remember that for the rest of her life.” Since his conviction, additional women have come forward, describing Prendergast as obsessive and a “sex pest.” One former partner detailed his excessive drinking, paranoia, and controlling behavior, including accusations that he would claim her family members were not who they appeared to be.
She also recounted episodes of him punching walls in anger and taking steroids that caused mood swings and blackouts, further illustrating his volatile and dangerous nature.
