DARREN HELLOWELL FROM EASTBOURNE FACES JAIL AFTER ASSAULT ON SCHOOLGIRL AT EASTBOURNE PIER

In a serious criminal case that has shocked the Eastbourne community, Darren Hellowell, a 29-year-old sex offender, is facing potential imprisonment following an incident involving a 16-year-old girl on the Eastbourne seafront. The assault took place late in the evening, around 11:30 pm on September 1 of the previous year, and has drawn significant attention from law enforcement and local residents alike.

According to court proceedings, the young girl was enjoying an evening out with friends, initially spending time at the Western Lawns around 8:30 pm before moving closer to the iconic Eastbourne Pier. As they sat on the beach, the defendant approached her and asked for a cigarette lighter. What began as a seemingly innocent request quickly escalated into a distressing and inappropriate encounter.

Prosecutor Simon Allen detailed how Hellowell, after asking for a lighter, made unwelcome physical advances. He placed his right hand on the girl’s left leg, just above her knee, and slid his hand upward. The girl, sitting with her knees drawn up, instinctively moved her legs away and told him to get off. Despite her protests, Hellowell persisted, leaning forward and placing his hand in the same area again. The girl pushed him away, visibly distressed and frightened by his actions.

Witnesses, who were friends of the victim, saw the incident unfold and immediately told Hellowell to leave. However, he continued his drunken assault, making suggestive comments towards the girl. The situation was brought to a swift end when police officers, who were nearby, arrested Hellowell within minutes of the incident. During police interviews, Hellowell claimed to have little memory of the assault, raising concerns about his state of intoxication at the time.

The victim’s statement to officers revealed her feelings of fear and shock. She expressed that when Hellowell first approached her, she felt uneasy because she did not know him. She described feeling scared and upset after he touched her, emphasizing the distress caused by his actions.

It was also revealed that Hellowell had a prior conviction for sexual assault. In 2005, he was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years after grabbing a woman’s private parts in Kent. Despite this, he failed to notify police of his whereabouts within three days of being released from custody, which is a breach of the legal requirements for registered offenders.

Hellowell, who has no fixed address, admitted to the charges of sexual assault and failing to comply with the Sex Offenders Register. His case highlights ongoing concerns about repeat offenders and the importance of strict monitoring and enforcement of sex offender regulations in Eastbourne and beyond.