HULL MAN JAILED FOR 28 YEARS FOR HISTORIC SEXUAL OFFENCES

A serial sexual predator known as Gavin Lancell has been sentenced to 28 years in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual offences committed between 1992 and 1996. The offences include rape, having sex with a girl under 13, indecent assault, and indecency with a child. Although Lancell, 53, formerly of Bransholme, Hull, denied all 20 charges, the jury convicted him of all counts. Prosecutor David Godfrey described Lancell as having shown a "clear sexual fascination" for two young girls, against whom he committed sexual offences. One of the victims spoke out in 1996, but her allegations were initially ignored. Both victims eventually reported the abuse in 1999, and the police recorded their accounts on video. Despite this, no prosecution occurred at the time. One victim attempted to contact police again in 2012, and both victims provided further evidence in 2021. The case was reopened as part of an investigation initiated following the Jimmy Savile scandal inquiry, which led to a new review of historical abuse cases. Detective Constable explained that one of the victims reached out after hearing about Operation Hydrant, a program launched amid the Savile inquiry to investigate allegations against institutions, politicians, and celebrities. Police subsequently interviewed Lancell in 2021 and obtained additional evidence. Lancell had previously been interviewed in 1999 but denial statements were not stored. During his trial, he maintained his innocence, claiming, "I am strongly denying it. I am still in shock," and "I did nothing then and I have still done nothing." The court revoked his bail and remanded him in custody after the conviction, and he was sentenced in his absence in court. Additionally, Lancell will be required to register as a sex offender for life, given the nature of his crimes.