DEREK HINDMARCH FROM CLEETHORPES AND GRIMSBY TARGETS CHILDREN IN PHONE BOX SCHEME

In August 2009, authorities issued a stark warning to the public about a disturbing case involving Derek Hindmarch, a known sex offender from North East Lincolnshire, who carried out a calculated and highly manipulative scheme to exploit young girls in the areas of Cleethorpes and Grimsby. Police are actively seeking additional victims who may have fallen prey to Hindmarch's depraved tactics, urging anyone with information or who believes they may have been targeted to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.

Hindmarch, aged 46, employed a sophisticated method that was believed to be the first of its kind in the country. His approach involved using public telephone boxes as bait to lure young girls into sending him explicit photographs of themselves. The predator would wait near these phone booths, watching for passersby, particularly young girls, and then make a call, hoping they would answer. Once contact was established, Hindmarch would pose as a friendly individual offering money in exchange for photographs or videos of the girls, often in school uniforms or bridesmaids dresses. In some cases, he sent explicit images of himself to the girls, further entrenching his manipulative tactics.

According to court proceedings, Hindmarch's scheme included paying the girls for their images—£10 for upper-body shots and £20 for more explicit images or videos. Payments were made in various ways, such as taping money to the telephone box or leaving cigarettes and alcohol for the girls to collect. The investigation revealed that Hindmarch's activities spanned from January 2007 to May 2009, during which he caused or incited at least 20 girls to engage in sexual activity, met two of them face-to-face to make sexual requests, and also made indecent photographs of children.

Hindmarch's criminal history includes a previous conviction from July 1996 for three charges related to using telecommunications systems for offensive matters, with the calls involving children. During his recent trial at Grimsby Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC expressed skepticism about Hindmarch's claims of leading a blameless life since that earlier conviction, stating, “I find it hardly credible that, between 1996 and now, you have led a blameless life.”

The police's investigation was extensive, involving a three-month surveillance operation conducted by officers from the national Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. This operation ultimately led to Hindmarch's arrest and subsequent conviction. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison, will be registered as a sex offender for life, and is permanently prohibited from owning any mobile device with a camera or webcam.

Child protection officials have issued a warning to parents and guardians about the dangers of talking to strangers, especially in public spaces like telephone boxes. They emphasize the importance of vigilance and encourage anyone who suspects they or someone they know may have been targeted by Hindmarch to contact Detective Sergeant Stuart Watson at the provided phone number, (01472) 264564, to help prevent further harm and bring more victims to justice.