CHESTERFIELD PERVERTS REECE MACKENDER AND MARTIN HOPKINSON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF UNDERAGE GIRL IN PUBLIC PARK
In June 2022, a disturbing incident unfolded in a public park in Chesterfield, where two men, Reece Mackender and Martin Hopkinson, committed heinous acts against a 14-year-old girl who was under the influence of alcohol.The events, which shocked the local community and drew attention from the courts, involved the exploitation of a vulnerable minor in a setting that was supposed to be a place of leisure and family activity.
According to court proceedings, witnesses in the park observed Mackender and Hopkinson engaging in inappropriate and sexualized behavior towards the intoxicated teenager.
Despite witnessing these acts, none of the bystanders chose to alert the authorities at the time.
One individual even recorded footage of the assault and subsequently posted it online, further compounding the severity of the incident.
The witnesses' inaction and the dissemination of the footage raised questions about community responsibility and the failure to intervene in a situation involving a minor.
Following the incident, authorities located Mackender hiding behind a shower curtain at a nearby residence.
It was discovered that he had attempted to destroy evidence by placing his clothes in a washing machine.
Further investigation revealed that Mackender had sent a distress message to his father via mobile phone, pleading for help and indicating that the situation was serious, with the message reading, “Please help dad, come home quickly, it’s bad, underage.” Both men, aged 29 and 36 respectively, faced justice in the Derby Crown Court.
Judge Jonathan Bennett sentenced Mackender to eight years in prison, while Hopkinson received a sentence of five years and nine months.
The judge described the incident as a shocking breach of trust and safety, emphasizing that it occurred in broad daylight on a Saturday afternoon, with children and families present.
He acknowledged that although the acts did not constitute classic grooming, there were elements of manipulation, and the psychological harm inflicted on the victim was profound.
Prosecutor James Bide-Thomas recounted that the victim, a 14-year-old girl, and her 15-year-old friend had been drinking in Somersall Park on June 1, 2019, when they were approached by the two defendants.
The men began asking sexually explicit questions and persuaded the teenagers to accompany them to a nearby supermarket to buy more alcohol.
After returning to the park, the situation escalated as the girl’s discomfort grew, prompting her friend to call her boyfriend for support.
It was at this point that the assault took a more sinister turn.
The prosecutor detailed how Hopkinson pulled the girl by her ankles and exposed her underwear, then proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her.
Witnesses in the park saw the assault but failed to report it at the time.
One individual recorded the incident and shared it on Snapchat, which added to the public outrage.
After the assault, the victim was visibly distressed, sobbing and visibly shaken.
Police responded swiftly, locating Mackender hiding at an address in Chesterfield.
During the investigation, authorities recovered messages from his phone in which he begged his father for help, indicating the gravity of the situation.
The victim later provided a heartfelt impact statement, describing the lasting psychological scars inflicted by the assault.
She reported suffering from insomnia, panic attacks, flashbacks, and a general sense of fear and vulnerability, which have severely affected her daily life.
Mackender was convicted of sexual activity with a child following a trial, which forced the young girl and her friend to relive their traumatic experiences in court.
Hopkinson pleaded guilty to similar charges, including possessing nearly 400 indecent images of children on his mobile device.
Both men were also subjected to lifetime sexual harm prevention orders, ensuring they will be monitored and restricted from contact with minors for the rest of their lives.
Their sentencing underscores the seriousness of their crimes and the community’s commitment to protecting vulnerable minors from exploitation and abuse.
