July 2009 Pervert gets 15 years jail A PAEDOPHILE has been jailed 15 years after he tried to rape a child. Pervert Kevin Peter Hickford is behind bars after being convicted of attempted rape and indecent assault of a child. The 50-year-old from Townhead, Slaley, Northumberland, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court. He was sentenced to six years in prison for the attempted rape and three years to run concurrently for each of three indecent assault charges. The offences took place around 15 years ago. The court heard Hickford befriended and groomed a child before committing a number of sexual assaults and attempting to rape the youngster. The abuse took place over a period of time. He originally pleaded not guilty but was convicted of all the charges after a trial. Hickford has also given an indefinite sexual offence prevention order and has been put on the Sex Offenders Register for life.