MANCHESTER MAN JAILED FOR SERIAL SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON ELDERLY WOMEN
Harry Hankinson, aged 73, has received a 14-year prison sentence following his conviction for multiple severe sexual offenses.The jury at Bolton Crown Court found him guilty of attempted rape and four counts of sexual assault.
The court detailed an incident in February 2017 when, as a hospital patient, Hankinson was caught by a nursing assistant forcing a woman in her 60s to perform a sexual act; the intervention of staff thwarted his assault.
In May 2017, he invited another woman in her 60s to his residence, where he touched her inappropriately; she responded by elbowing him and leaving.
In July 2020, Hankinson assaulted a woman in her 70s, who fought back by stabbing him in the hand with a fork.
Following his arrest, authorities uncovered that he had an extensive criminal record, including 240 prior convictions and 547 offenses, predominantly theft, but also earlier sex offenses dating back to the 1970s.
He is diagnosed with a mixed personality disorder.
The judge characterized him as a dangerous individual who poses a significant threat to the public, in particular to elderly and vulnerable women, and noted that he has not received the psychiatric treatment necessary due to repeated incarcerations.
Detective Constable Emma Cooper from GMP's City of Manchester division commented, 'Hankinson is a sexual predator preying on vulnerable victims.
His behavior is reprehensible and unjustified, leaving many women feeling violated and unsafe.
We hope this sentence demonstrates that justice will be served for victims of sexual assault.'
