PAUL HEWITT, EAST HULL OFFENDER, SENTENCED TO INDEFINITE IMPRISONMENT FOR STRING OF SEX ATTACKS
In April 2010, Paul Hewitt, a 50-year-old minicab driver from East Hull, was sentenced to an indefinite prison term after being convicted of a series of sexual assaults against women and girls spanning 15 years.Despite four separate trials at Hull Crown Court, Hewitt was not convicted until his latest trial, during which all his offending was presented.
Over this period, he targeted five victims aged between 11 and 21 in Hull and the East Riding.
One victim, who was attacked in Hewitt's cab in October 2001, waited nine years for justice.
Having reported the incident and gone through a trial, she was initially not believed by the jury.
Now, with Hewitt behind bars, she expressed relief, saying: “Today his victims finally have justice.
Finally he can no longer hurt anyone else.
I just wish I had been believed nine years ago and some of these other victims could have been spared.
The streets are a safer place now he is behind bars.” Hewitt's crimes involved luring vulnerable female passengers to deserted areas late at night, where he committed sex attacks.
His first known attack occurred in 1995.
The ordeal came to an end thanks to the bravery of a 13-year-old girl whom Hewitt raped and threatened to kill.
Her courage in reporting the attack led to his conviction and imprisonment.
Judge Roger Thorn QC sentenced Hewitt to an indeterminate term to ensure public protection.
He was convicted of multiple offences, including two rapes, two indecent assaults, threats to kill, two assaults by penetration, two counts of sexual activity with a child, and three counts of possessing disturbing indecent images and videos of children at the most severe level.
Hewitt is required to serve at least eight and a half years before being eligible to apply for parole, and he will not be released until authorities determine he is no longer a danger to the public.
