PORTSMOUTH WOMAN TESTIFIES AGAINST RAYMOND HAWKER ON HARROWING CHILDHOOD ABUSE CASE

A woman has described her experience as the most horrendous of her life though she now feels a sense of relief after seeing charges against Raymond Hawker, a convicted predator, proven in court. The woman, now in her 30s, revealed that the abuse occurred when she was between the ages of four and nine and that she has endured a long process to bring her abuser to justice. She told The News she feels 'relieved' but also 'numb' after the verdicts at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Raymond Hawker, 78, of Castlemans Lane on Hayling Island, was convicted of multiple charges following a trial held in his absence. The jury unanimously found him guilty of five counts of indecent assault on a female under 10 years old and one count of inciting a girl under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency. Hawker was deemed unfit to stand trial due to mental health issues. He faces sentencing on March 8, where he is expected to avoid jail time in favor of a supervision order, contingent upon medical assessments.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, expressed indifference toward Hawker’s fate, saying, 'I don’t care what happens to him now,' and added, 'Whatever punishment he receives will be minimal.' She explained that the case had been delayed for over two years due to postponements related to mental health assessments and other evaluations, which she described as a traumatic hurdle. She stated, 'I haven’t been able to look past the trial, so I’m now just getting my head around it all. Hopefully I can start living rather than hiding away.'

Reflecting on the potential sentences, the woman admitted feeling conflicted. 'Part of me is gutted he won’t go to prison because of all he put me through,' she said. She wished Hawker had been jailed, but expressed frustration over the lies he told about her and her family, emphasizing her desire for the truth to be recognized and the rumors to end. 'He’s never taken responsibility for what he did. His mental health claims have complicated the proceedings, causing delays,' she added. 'Both he and his family know what he did, and they will have to live with that for the rest of their lives.'

Having undergone counselling for depression and PTSD, she revealed her anger over the exploitation she suffered as a child. Her anger led her to confront Hawker in 2017, at which point he admitted to her what he had done. 'I went to his house, knocked on his door, and he just said “sorry, it was a long time ago.” I had the conversation recorded, but it couldn’t be used in court,' she explained.

The woman kept her pain inside for three decades, only sharing her ordeal with family and confiding in the police once she gathered enough courage. She described her struggle to speak as a child, manipulated by Hawker into silence with the phrase 'our little secret.' Her decision to come forward was driven by a sense of guilt and concern for others. 'I didn’t want to go to the police, but I felt guilty about his granddaughter and the children next door,' she shared.

Testifying in court was a nerve-wracking ordeal, as the case depended heavily on her evidence. Hawker’s wife, Barbara, was the only defense witness present. During cross-examination by defense barrister Sarah Jones, she faced accusations that she was fabricating her story. Despite the intense questions, she presented a compelling account, describing the impact of the trial as the most horrendous experience of her life. 'To be called a liar and to listen to glowing references for Ray while I was torn apart was incredibly tough,' she admitted.

Her resilience during the trial was noted by her family, with a barrister describing her as 'one of the strongest ladies she has come across'—someone 'who stuck to her guns and gave as good as she got.' With the case now concluded and her vindication secured, she expressed hope that the outcome would bring her closure. 'I hope it will help me move forward with my life,' she concluded.