DEREK HACKNEY SENTENCED IN TAUNTON FOR DECADES-OLD SEX OFFENSES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has spanned over three decades, Derek Edward Hackney, aged 67 and residing on Glenthorne Road in Taunton, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against two young girls during the 1970s and 1980s. The crimes, which involved acts of indecent assault, rape, and other serious sexual misconduct, targeted victims who were under the age of ten at the time.

Hackney was brought before Taunton Crown Court in May, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault. Additionally, he was found guilty of two further counts of indecent assault, as well as charges of rape and another grave sex offense. The court heard that his offenses were committed decades ago, yet their impact on the victims remains profound.

Following his conviction, Hackney received a substantial prison sentence of 16 and a half years. The severity of the sentence reflected the gravity and repeated nature of his crimes against the two young girls, whose innocence was shattered by his actions.

In an attempt to challenge his sentence, Hackney's legal representatives took his case to the Court of Appeal in London. His lawyers argued that the sentence was excessively harsh, citing Hackney’s advanced age as a mitigating factor. Michael Wolkind QC, representing Hackney, contended that the judge in the Crown Court had not sufficiently considered his client’s age and the fact that he had not committed any further crimes in over 30 years.

Furthermore, Wolkind emphasized the importance of Hackney’s personal circumstances, including the poor health of his wife, who depended on him for care. These factors, he argued, should have been given more weight in the sentencing process.

However, the appeal was dismissed by the panel of judges, including Judge Jeremy Carey QC, Lady Justice Macur, and Mr Justice Morris. Judge Carey QC stated that the original sentence was “wholly justified” given the seriousness and repeated nature of the offenses against the young victims. He emphasized that the punishment was appropriate and not excessive, reaffirming the court’s stance on the gravity of sexual offenses committed against children.

In conclusion, the judges reaffirmed that Hackney’s sentence was appropriate, and he has no grounds to complain about the punishment handed down by the Crown Court in Taunton. The case underscores the long-lasting impact of childhood sexual abuse and the justice system’s commitment to holding offenders accountable, regardless of the passage of time.