DEREK PRATT'S NIGHTMARE: PAEDOPHILE FROM NEWTON ABBOT FACES COURT AFTER FALL IN STAIRCASE

In September 2008, a disturbing case unfolded involving 66-year-old Derek Pratt, a pensioner from Newton Abbot, who found himself at the center of a serious legal proceeding related to heinous sexual offenses. The case took a dramatic turn when Pratt failed to appear for his scheduled sentencing hearing at Exeter Crown Court, citing an injury sustained from a fall down stairs as the reason for his absence.

Judge David Ticehurst, presiding over the case, expressed understanding of the situation but emphasized the importance of medical evidence. He stated, "This is an unfortunate coincidence of timing." The judge then issued a strict ultimatum, giving Pratt a window of 48 hours to produce a medical certificate that would confirm his condition and specify when he would be fit to attend court proceedings. The judge made it clear that failure to provide such evidence within the specified timeframe would result in the issuance of a warrant for Pratt's arrest, which would not be backed for bail.

Prior to this, Pratt’s legal counsel, Kelly Scrivener, informed the court that her client had suffered a fall down stairs and had been rushed to the hospital for treatment. This explanation was accepted as a valid reason for his absence, but the court remained firm on the need for medical documentation.

Details of Pratt’s criminal history revealed that he had earlier admitted to two serious sexual offenses involving a young girl. The victim, who was subjected to abuse over an eight-year period from 1987 to 1995, was also the mother of Pratt’s child. His secret was uncovered through the presentation of what was described as “unanswerable” DNA evidence, which led to his guilty plea on two of the four charges he faced. These charges would have resulted in a trial for the remaining allegations.

During a previous hearing, the prosecution, led by counsel Michael Melville-Shreeve, confirmed that the pleas entered by Pratt were acceptable to the Crown. Following this, Pratt was granted bail, allowing him time to organize his affairs, as his legal team acknowledged that he was facing a potentially lengthy prison sentence. The case remains a stark reminder of the grave nature of the crimes involved and the ongoing legal proceedings in Newton Abbot.