JOHN DICKINSON'S REIGN OF TERROR IN LONDON AND STEVENAGE ENDS WITH NEW CHILD SEX OFFENCE JAIL SENTENCE

In a disturbing case that has spanned decades, John Dickinson, a man with a long and violent criminal history rooted in the Hertfordshire and London areas, has once again been brought to justice for heinous child sex offences. Dickinson, now 67 years old, was initially convicted of the murder of Susan Lowson in Stevenage in 1980, a crime for which he received a life sentence. After serving 34 years behind bars, he was released in 2014, only to have his past crimes resurface.

In September 2019, Dickinson faced a jury at Cambridge Crown Court, where he was found guilty of multiple counts of sexual abuse involving two children. The offences, which took place during the 1970s in Stevenage, involved children aged between three and six years old. The jury convicted him of three counts of indecency with a child, three counts of indecent assault on a female, one count of indecent assault on a male, and an additional count of indecent assault. The court heard that these acts of abuse occurred over a period, with the children being subjected to serial and relentless exploitation.

Judge Jonathan Cooper, presiding over the case, expressed profound condemnation of Dickinson’s actions, stating that the abuse inflicted upon the children “has haunted them for their entire adult lives.” The judge emphasized the severity of the crimes, noting that the victims suffered lifelong trauma from the repeated assaults. The offences were committed in Hertfordshire, specifically in Stevenage, prior to Dickinson’s murder of Ms Lowson, which resulted in his life imprisonment.

Furthermore, Dickinson’s criminal record includes a recent incident from December 2018, when he was caught attempting to purchase a stun gun. Police intercepted a package destined for his address in London, revealing his attempt to acquire the weapon. Dickinson claimed that he bought the stun gun to “help you free yourself from [a] blackmailer,” a statement that Judge Cooper dismissed as unfounded and unconvincing.

His criminal activities extend beyond sexual offences. During the trial, references were made to his previous conviction for the murder of Susan Lowson in Stevenage, which also involved an arson attack on her flat. Dickinson was sentenced to life imprisonment for that crime but was released on licence in 2014. His release was supposed to be under strict conditions, but his recent arrest in February by the Metropolitan Police, linked to a firearms offence, led to his recall to prison.

As the case concluded, Dickinson was sentenced to an additional 18 years in prison, with an extended license period of four years. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of his crimes and the ongoing threat he poses. The sentencing took place ahead of a scheduled hearing on November 8, where pre-sentence reports were considered. Dickinson’s case remains a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of childhood abuse and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in bringing such offenders to justice.