LESLEY HAWKINGS FROM TONEDALE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN TAUNTON

In June 2018, Leslie Hawkings, a resident of Tonedale, Wellington, was released into the Bridgewater area after serving part of his sentence. His criminal history, however, remains a dark chapter in his life.

Back in September 2012, Hawkings was convicted and subsequently sentenced to eleven years in prison for a series of serious sexual offenses. The case drew significant attention due to the disturbing nature of his crimes and the manipulative tactics he employed during the trial.

Hawkings, aged 58 at the time, had a history of troubling behavior. During his trial, he attempted to create the impression that he was suicidal by fleeing his home dressed in his pyjamas. His disappearance was a calculated move aimed at unsettling a key witness in the case. This act of desperation underscored the severity of his situation and the extent of his manipulative tendencies, which the court noted as an aggravating factor.

It was revealed that Leslie Hawkings was married to his second wife and had a relatively young family. His actions and the subsequent conviction shocked the local community and brought to light the devastating impact of his crimes. The court heard that he was responsible for the sexual abuse of two teenage girls, with a total of 14 offenses linked to these acts.

One of the victims had managed to move away, marry, and put the traumatic events behind her. However, her sense of relief was shattered when the second girl confided in her about the abuse she had endured. This revelation caused the first victim to experience intense guilt, believing that if she had spoken out earlier, she might have prevented her friend from suffering at Hawkings' hands.

The second victim struggled profoundly with the trauma. During the trial, she testified that the abuse had negatively affected her personal relationships and that she had longed to disclose her suffering but was unable to do so until recently. Her testimony highlighted the lasting emotional scars inflicted by Hawkings' actions.

Judge Graham Hume Jones addressed Hawkings directly, stating, “Both girls suffered from your conduct. Your family will have to live the rest of their lives with the shame.” The judge also emphasized the manipulative nature of Hawkings' behavior, describing him as “rightly described as manipulative” in court.

As part of his sentence, Leslie Hawkings was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was permanently barred from working with children. The court's decision aimed to protect the community and prevent any future harm from the convicted individual, whose actions had left a lasting scar on his victims and their families.