KIM RAQUET AND TINA HAYNES SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN SHERBOURNE AND SOUTHAMPTON

In a disturbing case that spanned over a decade, two individuals have been sentenced to prison for a series of heinous sexual offences committed against three young girls in Southampton. The crimes, which took place between 1981 and 1993, involved repeated abuse that left lasting scars on the victims, some of whom were as young as nine years old at the time.

Kim Raquet, aged 61 and residing at Goodlands Cale, Hedge End, was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault and one charge of indecency with a child. Tina Haynes, aged 57 from Hunts Mead, Sherbourne, Dorset, was convicted of three counts of child cruelty and one count of indecency with a child. The convictions followed a detailed trial at Southampton Crown Court, which revealed the extent and severity of the offences.

The crimes only came to light after police investigations were finally initiated in 2017, nearly 24 years after the abuse had occurred. The delay in reporting was a source of anguish for the victims, who had endured years of silent suffering. During the court proceedings, one of the victims delivered a heartfelt personal impact statement, describing the emotional toll of the abuse. She explained how difficult it was to confide in her family, stating, “One of the hardest things I had to do was tell my husband and children what happened to me and ask for their support. Having to tell my parents was so difficult. To see them visibly upset made me so angry.”

She also recounted the trauma of giving evidence during the trial, saying, “I have never been so scared, nervous and humiliated in my life.” The court heard how the victims had suffered “severe psychological harm” as a result of the repeated abuse, which was inflicted over many years rather than isolated incidents.

Judge Christopher Parker QC addressed the court, emphasizing the profound impact of the offences. He stated that the victims had endured “severe psychological harm” from being abused “again and again,” and he highlighted the gravity of the crimes. “The harm you caused — particularly you, Mr. Raquet — could only be assessed as severe,” the judge remarked. He acknowledged that the investigation and trial process had touched “the rawest of nerves.”

While Judge Parker identified Raquet as the primary perpetrator, he also pointed out that Haynes had a choice in her actions, noting, “You had plenty of choices you could exercise which these girls could not.” The sentences handed down reflect the seriousness of the offences and the lasting damage caused to the victims, who endured years of suffering in the shadows of their abusers.