STEVE HAWKINS FROM HAVERHILL SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN IPSWICH COURT

In a recent and highly disturbing case, Steven Hawkins, a 43-year-old resident of Feltwell Place in Haverhill, was formally convicted of serious child sex offenses by a jury at Ipswich Crown Court. The charges against Hawkins included two counts of indecent assault and two counts of inciting a child to commit acts of gross indecency, all of which he vehemently denied throughout the trial.

The proceedings began on September 5, with the court hearing detailed testimonies and evidence that painted a troubling picture of Hawkins' alleged misconduct. After several days of deliberation, the jury returned their verdict yesterday, finding Hawkins guilty on all four counts. The conviction marked a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to address and combat child abuse cases within the region.

Following the announcement of the verdicts, Hawkins' defense attorney, James Wilson, requested that his client be sentenced immediately, expressing Hawkins' desire to avoid the customary waiting period for a probation report. The presiding judge took a few moments to consider this request before returning to deliver the sentence.

Hawkins was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for each of the four charges, with all sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, the court ordered that Hawkins be placed on the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk to the community.

The court's findings revealed that the victim was a young girl, aged nine, ten, and eleven during the period in which the offenses took place, spanning from June 30, 1998, to March 31 of the following year. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and the legal system's role in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse, especially within communities like Haverhill where such incidents can have profound impacts.