ROBERT HEDLEY OF ACOMB SENT TO PRISON FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING UNDERAGE GIRLS IN YORK

In October 2018, Robert Hedley, a 22-year-old man from Acomb, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with two underage girls and attempting to commit rape on one of them. The case was heard at York Crown Court, where the emotional and disturbing details of Hedley's actions were revealed.

One of Hedley's victims, a young girl who was only 14 at the time, confronted him directly in court, referring to him as “that thing there” as she faced him across the courtroom. Her testimony was deeply personal and harrowing, revealing the profound impact of Hedley's abuse. She disclosed that she had experienced suicidal thoughts as a consequence of the sexual abuse inflicted upon her by Hedley, which had begun when she was just 14 years old.

Prosecutor Chris Smith outlined the background of the case, explaining that the girl had initially met Hedley through Facebook. She described him as her “first love,” which made her vulnerable to his advances. Despite her questions about why he was interested in someone so young, she admitted that she liked feeling attractive to him. However, the relationship quickly turned sinister. Hedley began engaging in sexual activity with her every time they met, fully aware that she was under the age of 16. The girl expressed her feelings of regret and gullibility, stating, “I feel so stupid for being so gullible.” She also shared that her experiences had left her with difficulty trusting men and forming new relationships.

Further details revealed that Hedley had also been involved in a sexual relationship with another girl, who was 15 years old at the time. The court heard that shortly after this second relationship ended, Hedley attempted to rape the older girl when she visited his residence to collect some DVDs. This attempted rape was part of the charges he faced.

Hedley, who works as a chef and resides on Jute Road in Acomb, admitted to three counts of engaging in sexual activity with underage girls and one count of attempted rape. His actions, which took place when he was in his late teens, were uncovered during police investigations into his conduct related to a third girl. Although this third investigation did not lead to a conviction, it played a role in bringing Hedley's offenses to light.

Following the court proceedings, Hedley was sentenced to four years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. The case highlights the serious nature of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victims, emphasizing the importance of justice and protection for vulnerable minors.