GERRY HUTCHINGS SHAMES LYNDHURST AND NEW FOREST: POLICE INSPECTOR JAILED FOR ABUSE OF BOYS

In a shocking case that has rocked the community of Lyndhurst and the wider New Forest area, Gerry Hutchings, a former police inspector, has been sentenced to prison for a series of disturbing and humiliating acts involving young boys. The 48-year-old, once a respected figure within Hampshire Constabulary, was found guilty of misconduct that has left his victims deeply traumatized.

Hutchings was convicted at Brighton Crown Court, where the court heard harrowing details of his actions. Over a period spanning from July 2006 to July 2007, Hutchings subjected at least 11 young boys to degrading treatment, including making them drop their trousers during disciplinary encounters. On some occasions, he forced the boys to touch their toes while he observed, an act that left the victims feeling embarrassed and frightened. The incidents predominantly took place in Lyndhurst, where Hutchings served as an inspector for over a decade, and the court was told that ten of these episodes occurred within this village.

The court proceedings revealed that Hutchings' misconduct was not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of abuse. The judge, Cedrick Joseph, sentenced Hutchings to 16 months in prison. Additionally, Hutchings was issued an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO), which will take effect once his prison term concludes. The judge also specified that Hutchings would serve approximately eight months before being eligible for release, with a strict ban on working unsupervised with children under the age of 18.

Following the sentencing, Deputy Chief Constable Ian Readhead expressed his condemnation of Hutchings' actions. He stated, “Mr Hutchings’ abhorrent actions as an inspector are a disgrace to the uniform worn by all law-abiding police officers. His behaviour is totally untypical of those serving with Hampshire Constabulary and falls far short of the high standards we expect from our staff.” Readhead also mentioned that he had personally visited the victims’ homes to apologize on behalf of the police force, emphasizing the commitment of Hampshire police to maintaining safe communities. He reaffirmed that police stations should be places where the public feels secure.

The investigation into Hutchings' conduct was initiated after allegations surfaced, leading to a swift disciplinary process. In August of the previous year, Hutchings was dismissed from the police force with immediate effect by Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan. The disciplinary hearing was conducted as part of the internal review, and Hutchings was found to have engaged in misconduct.

Prosecutors, however, chose not to pursue charges related to ten other allegations of sexual offences, citing a lack of evidence to secure a conviction. Judge Cedrick Joseph officially recorded a not guilty verdict on those counts. A spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) explained that the decision was made after careful consideration, noting that there was no realistic prospect of a successful prosecution on those charges. CPS District Crown Prosecutor Tim Thompson stated, “The police and CPS have worked closely to uncover the facts surrounding the serious allegations. As a result of this investigation, we accepted Mr Hutchings’ pleas on the basis that he conceded his actions were a misuse of power and that he enjoyed this misuse over young men in custody. Once we accepted the plea, we decided there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction regarding sexual offences and discontinued those charges. I have personally written to all the victims involved, and I hope they find some closure in the resolution of this case.”

Hutchings’ career with Hampshire police spanned numerous locations across the county. He held positions in Totton for two years, and served five years in both Portsmouth and Basingstoke, where he was promoted to sergeant. In 1994, he moved to Havant and was appointed inspector, working in Waterlooville, Winchester police headquarters, Yateley, and Aldershot. His service then took him to the New Forest, where he was posted in Lymington, Ringwood, and Lyndhurst.

Born in Southampton, Hutchings was the son of an insurance manager. At the age of ten, his family emigrated to South Africa, where he completed his education and worked as a housemaster in children’s homes. The family returned to the UK in the 1970s, and Hutchings subsequently joined Hampshire police, beginning a career that, until his misconduct, was marked by various postings across the county.