WILLIAM HOLLINS FROM BUCKLEY SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND INDECENT ASSAULTS IN THE 1980S

William Derek Hollins, aged 79 and residing on Mold Road in Buckley, has been handed an 18-month prison sentence that has been suspended, following his admission to charges of grooming and indecent assault involving a teenage boy. The offences took place during the 1980s, specifically targeting a vulnerable young individual who was participating in a Clwyd Youth Theatre course at the time.

During the proceedings at Caernarfon Crown Court, it was revealed that Hollins had a history of similar criminal behavior, including convictions for gross indecency. These prior convictions underscored a pattern of inappropriate conduct that spanned several years, raising concerns about his character and the safety of potential victims.

Judge Gaynor Lloyd addressed the court, describing Hollins’s actions as grooming, which involves building a relationship of trust with a young person to facilitate abuse. The judge also pointed out Hollins’s lack of good character, emphasizing his age and health as mitigating factors that influenced the decision to impose a suspended sentence rather than immediate imprisonment.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Hollins was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. This order will restrict him from having any unsupervised contact with boys under the age of 18 for a period of ten years, aiming to prevent any future harm and protect vulnerable minors from potential exploitation.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about safeguarding within youth organizations and the importance of vigilance in protecting young people from individuals with a history of sexual misconduct.