KEVIN HILLS FROM LEICESTER SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC KIDNAPPING AND SEXUAL ABUSE IN LEICESTER

In September 2012, a harrowing case unfolded in Leicester involving a woman who endured a terrifying ordeal at the hands of Kevin John Hills, a man with a disturbing criminal history. The victim, whose identity remains protected, was abducted at knifepoint and subjected to unimaginable cruelty in what authorities have described as a 'mobile dungeon' created by Hills in his high-top van.

According to court reports, Hills, aged 40 and residing on Barnsdale Road in Beaumont Leys, Leicester, had previously been released on bail for possessing indecent images of children. Despite this, he committed a heinous act that shocked the local community and the nation. The woman, who was vulnerable and slightly built, was forcibly taken from a location in Leicester, with Hills pressing a blade to her throat and demanding she remain still, asserting, 'It makes no odds to me if you're dead or alive.'

Prosecutor Andrew Easteal detailed the terrifying sequence of events, explaining that the woman, in a desperate attempt to escape, tried to leap from the moving van. Hills, however, quickly pulled her back inside, struck her across the head, and pushed her into the footwell of the vehicle. He then drove her to a remote area near Cropston Reservoir, where he had meticulously prepared his vehicle to serve as a place of torment.

Describing the scene, Mr. Easteal stated, 'He had converted his van into a mobile dungeon, designed so the victim could be restrained and abused in any way he saw fit. It was carefully planned.' The victim was then subjected to a six-hour ordeal of physical restraint, psychological torment, and sexual assault. Hills had earlier told her he was going to a casino with friends, but instead, he diverted to a red-light district in Highfields, Leicester, where he targeted her.

Once in the van, Hills pulled out a knife, tied her up, and threw her mobile phone out of the window to prevent her from calling for help. He then drove into the countryside, where he further restrained her by shackling her feet with ropes and suspending her with bungee cords from the ceiling of the van. Despite the tape over her mouth, the woman was rendered completely helpless, and Hills proceeded to subject her to a terrifying and brutal assault, including stripping her of her clothes and hitting her around the head.

After the ordeal, Hills left the woman in a city centre car park at approximately 2:30 a.m. Following his arrest, Hills claimed that the woman had consented to the sexual activity in the van, a statement met with disbelief and horror by the victim. She expressed her feelings after the sentencing, saying, 'The sentence is sufficient but I wish he could stay in jail forever. I hate him. I really thought I was going to die.' She revealed that it took her a week to report the incident to police and six months before she could fully recount what had happened. The trauma continues to affect her, as she stated, 'It has ruined my life. I can't be on my own, I feel vulnerable and scared all the time, but I am determined to try to beat the horrible shadow this man has cast over my life.'

Judge Sylvia De Bertodano sentenced Hills to an indefinite term of imprisonment with a minimum of nine years, emphasizing that Hills would only be released when he was no longer deemed a danger to society. The judge also praised the victim's bravery for attending court and giving evidence. In addition to the kidnapping and sexual assault charges, Hills admitted to eight counts of downloading indecent images of girls aged between six and 15. These images, totaling 143, were found on his computer in February 2011, spanning various levels of severity from level one to level four.

Legal representative Gary Short commented on Hills' obsession with sexual material, stating, 'The indecent images show the level of his preoccupation with sex. What happened to the victim was the escalation of seeking personal sexual gratification.' The court's verdict reflects the severity of Hills' crimes and the ongoing concern for public safety in Leicester.