DEREK JESSOP'S HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN BLACKPOOL: 40 YEARS OF SICKENING CRIMES REVEALED
In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Blackpool, Derek Jessop, a 75-year-old man, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over a span of more than four decades.The crimes involved the abuse of eight young girls, some as young as just four years old, with the incidents stretching from the 1960s all the way through to 2004.
Jessop, who resides on Regents Road East in Blackpool, was found guilty at Preston Crown Court after a lengthy trial that uncovered the extent of his disturbing actions.
The court heard that Jessop had carried out these offenses over a period of more than 40 years, targeting vulnerable young girls in the Blackpool area.
His crimes included multiple counts of rape, attempted rape, and indecent assault, which he committed against victims aged between 4 and 12.
During the proceedings, Jessop appeared in the dock wearing a navy cardigan and headphones, seemingly detached from the gravity of the situation.
Despite denying charges of rape, attempted rape, and four counts of indecent assault, the jury convicted him on all counts.
As a result, Jessop was sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Under the current legal framework, he is expected to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before the Parole Board considers whether it is safe to release him on license.
Notably, the court also examined the cases of Jessop’s ex-wife, Lesley Jessop, aged 63, of Brooklyn Road, Blackpool, and his current wife, Malee Kadram, a 40-year-old woman from Thailand.
The jury acquitted Lesley Jessop of two counts of indecent assault involving a 15-year-old boy during 1984 and 1985, with her admitting to having had a sexual relationship with him but claiming it occurred when he was of consenting age.
Malee Kadram was cleared of five counts of indecency with a child and one count of indecent assault involving two boys aged 13 and 8.
Both women had been arrested at Manchester Airport as they attempted to leave the UK for Thailand, asserting that the allegations were motivated by financial gain.
The court heard disturbing details about Jessop’s methods of abuse.
One victim recounted how Jessop had lured her into a caravan, where he assaulted her and told her not to tell anyone, insisting it would be “her fault.” Many victims, now adults, shared their painful memories during the trial.
One woman revealed she only confided in her mother about the abuse when she was “dead in her coffin,” while another expressed that she had “waited her entire adult life for this moment,” describing the emotional toll of reliving her trauma in court.
Several victims spoke of how the abuse had profoundly affected their trust in others, with one woman stating she had “lost her childhood,” and another describing how the experience left her with “major trust issues” with men.
In July 2018, the jury found Derek Jessop guilty of multiple sexual offenses, including four counts of rape, seven counts of indecent assault, and attempted rape involving four different victims.
The trial also confirmed that Jessop’s criminal activities began in the 1960s and continued into the early 2000s, highlighting a long history of predatory behavior.
The couple’s arrest at Manchester Airport marked the culmination of a lengthy investigation into Jessop’s past crimes.
Jessop’s sentencing is scheduled for August 10, where the court will determine the full extent of his punishment for these grave offenses.
