LANCE HIRST SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS IN REDDITCH FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In a harrowing case that has shocked the Redditch community, Lance Hirst, a 29-year-old resident of Doverdale Close, was handed a substantial prison sentence after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences involving a young girl. The sentencing took place at Worcester Crown Court on a Wednesday, with Judge Nicolas Cartwright presiding via video link from prison.

Hirst pleaded guilty to a series of charges, including the most severe allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13. The court was informed that the abuse began in 2018, when the girl was just 12 years old, and continued into 2020. The indictment detailed that Hirst had raped her on at least five separate occasions, with the court hearing evidence that he had also requested explicit videos of the girl and possessed other indecent images of children stored on his devices.

Further evidence presented in court revealed that the DNA of the young victim was found on sex toys located in the glove box of Hirst’s vehicle, which added to the mounting evidence against him. The police investigation, initiated in May 2020, uncovered mobile phones belonging to Hirst that contained a disturbing array of indecent images, categorized as A, B, and C, including both still and moving images. Among these were images of the victim herself, as well as material depicting bestiality, and other indecent content.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Nicolas Cartwright emphasized the gravity of the offences, describing the rapes as the most serious. He pointed out that the other offences, including assaults, represented different forms of sexual misconduct directed at the same young girl. The judge highlighted the disturbing nature of the case, noting that Hirst, who was 26 at the time, had begun abusing the girl shortly after her 12th birthday. The abuse was described as ongoing, with Hirst raping her regularly during her early teenage years.

Adding to the severity of the case, the judge revealed that the abuse occurred in the presence of another child, which he considered an aggravating factor. He remarked that although the girl was so young, she appeared to have been manipulated into a state of compliance, a process of grooming that left her psychologically damaged. The court heard that the girl’s mental health had been profoundly affected, with her suffering from social anxiety, developing an eating disorder, and experiencing frequent nightmares and flashbacks. Her academic performance and social interactions had also been negatively impacted, as confirmed by her grandmother’s statement.

Judge Cartwright acknowledged the significant psychological toll on the victim and took this into account when determining the sentence. He described her as suffering from ongoing emotional trauma, which was exacerbated by the prolonged period over which the offences occurred. The court also considered Hirst’s conduct during police interviews, where he denied all allegations and answered “no comment,” despite the overwhelming evidence against him. Although Hirst had no prior convictions, the judge noted that his character was not exemplary.

In light of the ongoing pandemic, the judge decided not to reduce the sentence, despite Hirst’s continued offending during the first COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020. The court sentenced him to 13 years in prison, with an additional year added for licence, making a total of 14 years. Under the provisions of the Sentencing Act 2020, Hirst, as a high-risk offender, will be required to serve at least two-thirds of his custodial term before being eligible for parole.

Furthermore, a lifelong sexual harm prevention order was imposed, restricting Hirst’s contact with children and his access to the internet, including social media platforms. He will also be subject to lifelong notification requirements and registration on the sex offender register. The court ordered that any devices containing indecent images of children be destroyed to prevent further misuse.

This case underscores the serious nature of child sexual abuse and the ongoing efforts of the justice system to protect vulnerable victims and hold offenders accountable.