SHANE THACKERAY'S HORRIFIC ABUSE IN BASEFORD AND LOUGHBOROUGH LEAVES LIVES IN RUINS

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Baseford and Loughborough, Shane Thackeray, aged 50, was sentenced to four years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The court heard how Thackeray, who was living in the Loughborough area at the time, systematically groomed and sexually abused two young boys, with devastating consequences that have haunted their lives for decades.

One of the victims, a 12-year-old boy, was targeted by Thackeray in 1988 and 1989. The defendant, who was employed by the victim’s father, befriended the boy and took him on trips in a van, gradually grooming him for sexual abuse. The court was told that Thackeray’s actions left the young victim deeply troubled, leading him down a path of alcohol dependency. Tragically, this addiction contributed to his death last week, a loss that the court acknowledged as a direct result of the abuse he endured.

The second victim, an 11-year-old boy from the Melton area, was befriended by Thackeray after he had established a relationship with the boy’s single mother. Thackeray’s manipulation led to the young boy turning to alcohol and drugs, and engaging in criminal behavior. The court revealed that Thackeray assaulted the boy on multiple occasions, including taking him for walks in fields where he performed sexual acts, and forcing him to lie face down on a mattress in a disused flat to simulate a serious sex act.

During the proceedings, the court heard a personal impact statement from the second victim, now a father of two. He described feeling isolated and vulnerable as a child, seeking a father figure and role model. He explained that the trauma from Thackeray’s abuse drove him into a life of substance abuse and criminal activity, illustrating the long-lasting damage inflicted by the defendant’s actions.

Thackeray’s criminal history extended beyond these incidents. After moving to Selwyn Close, Baseford, Nottinghamshire, he committed further serious sexual offenses against other young boys, for which he received additional sentences of four years and three-and-a-half years. The court noted that Thackeray’s pattern of offending spanned multiple locations and involved multiple victims.

In mitigation, Balraj Bhatia, representing Thackeray, revealed that the defendant was informed of the death of one of his victims on the morning of his court appearance. Thackeray was visibly affected, seeking solace in prayer at a nearby church and lighting a candle. The defense also highlighted that Thackeray had sought professional help from the Lucy Faithful Foundation after his release on license in 2008, engaging in voluntary therapy to address his issues. Bhatia emphasized that Thackeray was already remorseful before these recent disclosures came to light.

It was also disclosed that Thackeray was himself a victim of child abuse while in the care system, adding a complex layer to his troubled history. However, Judge Michael Pert QC did not find this sufficient to mitigate his actions, stating, “Your bad record is an aggravating feature.” The judge condemned Thackeray’s conduct, emphasizing that his crimes had irreparably damaged the lives of his victims and underscoring the seriousness of his offenses.