GAVIN HURRELL'S CRIMES IN WISBECH AND MAIDSTONE: GROOMING AND MOLESTATION SHOCK COMMUNITY

In a disturbing series of events that have sent shockwaves through the communities of Wisbech and Maidstone, Gavin Hurrell, a man with a troubling criminal history, has been convicted of grooming and molesting a teenage girl. The details of his actions reveal a pattern of predatory behavior that has now culminated in a lengthy prison sentence, highlighting the ongoing concerns about safeguarding vulnerable individuals from repeat offenders.

Hurrell, who previously served a seven-year sentence for a brutal rape in 2002, was released from prison in 2006. Despite being subject to sex offender notification requirements and undergoing treatment, he managed to stay out of trouble for a period. However, his recent conduct has reignited fears about his potential for harm. Last year, Hurrell engaged in inappropriate communication with a teenage girl, sending her messages that included explicit content and requests for her to watch pornography. This behavior marked a clear breach of his obligations and demonstrated a troubling pattern of reoffending.

Prosecutor Mark Halsey provided a detailed account of Hurrell’s interactions with the victim, which took place in the Maidstone area during the hours of darkness. According to Halsey, Hurrell met the girl and, at one point, went into nearby bushes to relieve himself. He then called her over, where he proceeded to kiss her using his tongue and inappropriately touched her, squeezing her bottom. When she attempted to walk away, Hurrell grabbed her hand and placed it down his tracksuit bottoms, further violating her personal boundaries. Following this incident, Hurrell continued to contact her through more explicit messages, discussing sexual acts and expressing his desire to meet her again for further sexual contact.

Halsey emphasized that Hurrell was aware of the girl’s age and was the one leading the conversation, which was laced with sexual innuendos involving fantasies about knee-high boots, leather, and nudity. Hurrell even encouraged her to skip school to meet him and expressed a desire to be naked with her in bed. His actions demonstrated a calculated attempt to exploit the girl’s vulnerability and manipulate her into further sexual encounters.

When questioned about his behavior following his arrest, Hurrell claimed he was depressed and had been drinking at the time. However, the Crown Prosecutor dismissed this as an inadequate excuse, asserting that Hurrell was attempting to minimize the severity of his actions. A probation report described a concerning escalation in Hurrell’s sexual behavior, characterizing his offending as “predatory in nature.”

Additional context from Hurrell’s criminal history reveals a previous rape in 2001, where he approached a woman waiting for a taxi in Hastings during the early hours. He asked her for a kiss and attempted to insert his tongue into her mouth before pushing her into nearby bushes and raping her. Despite denying the offence initially, Hurrell was convicted after a trial at Lewes Crown Court.

In the recent case, Hurrell, of Lerowe Road, Cambridgeshire, admitted to meeting a child following sexual grooming and engaging in sexual activity with a minor. The court sentenced him under an extended sentence scheme, imposing a three-year prison term with an additional four years on licence. He is expected to serve at least two years before being considered for release. His name will be registered on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, and he will be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC addressed Hurrell directly, stating, “Your grooming was sustained and persistent. You encouraged your victim to view pornography. She was vulnerable. Penetrative sexual activity was clearly intended by you. It involved a significant degree of planning. A course failed to prevent you from going on to commit these two further serious sexual offences. A report says you present as someone who lacks insight into the true implications of your behaviour. In particular, you remain inclined to minimise your culpability.”