April 2012 Mother slams perv’s sentence A MOTHER has hit out at the sentence imposed on a paedophile who abused her son. John Hicks, 34, of Maunder Close, Chafford Hundred, is starting a three-year prison sentence for his crimes. It comes after he was found guilty of abusing two children, a boy and a girl under the age of 13. But the boy’s mother, speaking after the sentencing at Southend Crown Court, said: “It’s not long enough – my son had to go through being sexually abused for four years.” However, the female victim’s father said it was some relief their children have finally been believed. He said: “The kids wake up crying because they were told they have been liars for nearly two years. “It’s not acceptable – he’s a heinous individual.” Hicks had always denied abusing the children. But after a trial he was found guilty of seven charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of sexual assault on a child. However, he was found not guilty of causing a child to watch a sexual act and possession of indecent photographs of a child. He will be placed on a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, meaning he will be banned from working with children. He will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. Barbara Lockyear, mitigating, said Hicks maintained his innocence and his family were standing by him. The court heard he had no past convictions for sexual offences, but did have a past conviction for perverting the course of justice.