RICHARD HILARY DROXFORD AND WINCHESTER ATHLETICS COACH SENTENCED FOR ABUSING GIRLS NEARLY 40 YEARS AGO
| Red Rose Database
Droxford Sexual Abuser
In a case that has spanned decades, Richard Hilary, a former athletics coach based in Winchester and residing in Droxford, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the heinous abuse of five young girls. The crimes, which occurred nearly 40 years ago, have only recently come to light, leading to a conviction that underscores the long-lasting impact of such abuse.
Hilary, now aged 67, was found guilty of 14 counts of indecent assault following a detailed trial at Winchester Crown Court. The court proceedings revealed that the abuse took place during his tenure as a secondary school teacher in Farnborough and as a running coach at Winchester Athletics Club, spanning from 1978 to 1984. During this period, Hilary exploited his positions of authority to manipulate and victimize vulnerable girls, all of whom were under the age of 16 at the time.
According to court reports, Hilary engaged in acts of kissing and sexual assault on multiple occasions. These offenses were committed in various locations, including school premises, his personal vehicle, and his residence. The court heard how he used his influence as both a PE teacher and a sports coach to gain the trust of the girls, many of whom viewed him as a popular and charismatic figure. Unfortunately, this trust was exploited as Hilary groomed the girls into performing sexual acts for him.
Detective Constable Sarah Fox, who led the investigation, stated, “Hilary used his position of authority as both a PE teacher and a sports coach to gain the trust of these girls – who are now women – and he abused that trust in the most awful way. He maintained that he hadn’t done anything wrong throughout our investigation and continued in this vein throughout the court process, which has been especially difficult for the victims.”
It was also revealed that after the alleged offenses, Hilary spent a significant period as headteacher of Chamberlayne Park School in Southampton, a role he held until his retirement in 2006. Despite his retirement, the court imposed a lifelong requirement for him to sign the sex offender’s register, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
The prosecution was able to present compelling evidence, including teenage diaries kept by the victims, which documented Hilary’s misconduct at the time. These personal records provided crucial insight into the crimes and helped establish a clear timeline of the abuse. Many of the victims described Hilary as a dynamic and well-liked teacher, a characterization he exploited to groom them for his own sexual gratification.
Judge Susan Evans QC delivered the sentence, emphasizing the gravity of Hilary’s betrayal of trust and the lasting harm caused to his victims. The case highlights the importance of vigilance and the need to protect vulnerable individuals from those who hold positions of authority and influence.
Hilary, now aged 67, was found guilty of 14 counts of indecent assault following a detailed trial at Winchester Crown Court. The court proceedings revealed that the abuse took place during his tenure as a secondary school teacher in Farnborough and as a running coach at Winchester Athletics Club, spanning from 1978 to 1984. During this period, Hilary exploited his positions of authority to manipulate and victimize vulnerable girls, all of whom were under the age of 16 at the time.
According to court reports, Hilary engaged in acts of kissing and sexual assault on multiple occasions. These offenses were committed in various locations, including school premises, his personal vehicle, and his residence. The court heard how he used his influence as both a PE teacher and a sports coach to gain the trust of the girls, many of whom viewed him as a popular and charismatic figure. Unfortunately, this trust was exploited as Hilary groomed the girls into performing sexual acts for him.
Detective Constable Sarah Fox, who led the investigation, stated, “Hilary used his position of authority as both a PE teacher and a sports coach to gain the trust of these girls – who are now women – and he abused that trust in the most awful way. He maintained that he hadn’t done anything wrong throughout our investigation and continued in this vein throughout the court process, which has been especially difficult for the victims.”
It was also revealed that after the alleged offenses, Hilary spent a significant period as headteacher of Chamberlayne Park School in Southampton, a role he held until his retirement in 2006. Despite his retirement, the court imposed a lifelong requirement for him to sign the sex offender’s register, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
The prosecution was able to present compelling evidence, including teenage diaries kept by the victims, which documented Hilary’s misconduct at the time. These personal records provided crucial insight into the crimes and helped establish a clear timeline of the abuse. Many of the victims described Hilary as a dynamic and well-liked teacher, a characterization he exploited to groom them for his own sexual gratification.
Judge Susan Evans QC delivered the sentence, emphasizing the gravity of Hilary’s betrayal of trust and the lasting harm caused to his victims. The case highlights the importance of vigilance and the need to protect vulnerable individuals from those who hold positions of authority and influence.