DEREK HEDGE FROM BELTON SENTENCED TO SEX OFFENDERS' REGISTER FOR FIVE YEARS AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT

A 73-year-old man from Belton has been legally mandated to register as a sex offender for a period of five years following his admission to committing a sexual assault. Derek Hedge faced the court where he was handed a three-year community order, which requires him to participate in a sex offenders' treatment programme and remain under supervision for the next three years.

Hedge’s legal troubles are not new; he was previously subject to a prevention order until 2019 due to a prior offence involving indecent images. This history underscores a pattern of concerning behaviour that has persisted over the years. The recent conviction stems from an incident last autumn, during which Hedge was found guilty of indecently touching a woman. The court proceedings revealed that Hedge, who has a criminal record dating back to the 1980s, claimed he could not recall the details of the incident, despite the evidence presented.

Prosecutors emphasized Hedge’s extensive criminal history, which includes convictions for possession of indecent images, highlighting a troubling pattern of offences related to sexual misconduct. The defence, however, pointed out that Hedge is a 24-hour carer, suggesting a different aspect of his personal circumstances. Nonetheless, the court’s decision reflects the seriousness of his actions and the need for ongoing supervision and treatment to prevent future offences.