JASON HAWKINS AND SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IN SOMERSET AND DEVON
A deeply disturbing case unfolded in the South West, where Jason Hawkins, a man aged 49, was found guilty of abducting and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.The court proceedings revealed that Hawkins lured the young teenager into his grasp through online conversations initiated on the popular karaoke social media app, StarMaker.
According to the court records, Hawkins traveled from Somerset to the West Midlands specifically to pick up the underage girl.
His journey caused immense distress to her parents, who were left frantic with worry after learning of her disappearance.
The Crown Court in Plymouth heard how, after Hawkins picked her up, he brought her to a campsite in Devon.
It was there that he committed the heinous acts of sexual abuse and rape.
The court was told that Hawkins, who struggled with drug dependence, overpowered the 14-year-old while she repeatedly begged him to stop.
Judge Simon Carr described Hawkins' actions as “depraved,” emphasizing the severity of the defendant’s manipulation and control over the young girl.
During the investigation, police discovered that Hawkins had thrown the girl’s phone into a river to hinder any attempts at communication or evidence gathering.
However, authorities were able to identify him through details obtained from the girl’s computer, which revealed her early interactions with Hawkins on StarMaker, a social media platform especially popular among teenagers, particularly young girls.
In a twist of events, Hawkins had also contacted the police beforehand, claiming that he believed the girl was being sexually abused by someone else, perhaps in an attempt to deflect suspicion.
Nevertheless, he eventually pleaded guilty to multiple serious charges, including rape, sexual activity with a child, child abduction, and meeting a child following sexual grooming, in November of the previous year.
Despite having no prior criminal record, Hawkins was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
The judge made it clear that Hawkins would not be eligible for immediate release; he is expected to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence, which equates to more than seven years before parole consideration.
Prosecutor Bathsheba Cassell from the Crown Prosecution Service detailed how Hawkins lavished the girl with compliments during their online exchanges, at one point falsely claiming that he was a secret agent working for the special services.
Their conversations eventually took a sexual turn, with explicit images exchanged between the two.
Miss Cassell also revealed that Hawkins hired a car to travel from Somerset and drive to the Dudley area, where he then picked up the girl from a shop near her residence.
Her worried parents were described as being "frantic with worry" during this period.
After retrieving her, Hawkins moved the girl into his caravan.
He spent time with her watching television and even went shopping together.
However, the relationship took a dark turn as Hawkins performed a sexual act and eventually raped her.
The victim, who remains anonymous by law, wrote an emotional statement describing the mental and emotional toll of the assault.
She expressed feelings of worthlessness, resorting to self-harm, suffering flashbacks, and enduring sleepless nights.
Her words conveyed profound damage, stating, “I just feel so low after all of this.
I just want to lie in bed all day.
I have felt that I am worth nothing.
I have hurt myself to get rid of this feeling.
I have gone to sleep hoping that I would not wake up the next day.” Hawkins’ defense lawyer, William Parkhill, argued that his client did not intend to commit rape when he traveled to pick up the girl.
He stated that Hawkins expressed remorse during a probation interview, feeling shame for his actions.
Mr.
Parkhill highlighted the defendant’s personal struggles, including the loss of his partner, family, and employment over the preceding five years, which contributed to his descent into drug misuse.
The lawyer added that Hawkins sought solace in the online world, which ultimately led to the criminal conduct.
In response to the sentencing, Judge Carr issued an indefinite restraining order prohibiting Hawkins from any contact with the victim in any form.
Additionally, he imposed a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order to enable authorities to monitor Hawkins’ online activities and interactions around minors.
It was also confirmed that Hawkins will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, highlighting the ongoing nature of his criminal status.
