LABOUR COUNCILLOR DERRICK HEMINGSLEY OF DUDLEY RECEIVES SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR CHILD INDECENCY OFFENCES

In September 2017, Derrick Hemingsley, a former Labour councillor and magistrate from Dudley, was handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting to taking hundreds of indecent images and videos of two young boys. Hemingsley, who was also a school governor, a prospective parliamentary candidate, and an active churchgoer, faced Wolverhampton Crown Court where it was described he 'had experienced a spectacular fall from grace.'

Hemingsley, representing the Wordsley ward for the Labour Party, caused significant distress to one of his victims, an 11-year-old boy who was described as 'scared and shocked,' while the second boy, now 13, suffered from depression as a result of the incident. Prosecutor Mr. Hunka noted that Hemingsley had intended to use the boys to promote his Pensnett-based car products business.

The court heard that Hemingsley, a magistrate who had previously judged others, allowed his personal judgment to be 'clouded' in this case. Mr. Hunka stated, 'The images were indecent but he did not hold that view,' asserting Hemingsley believed he was not breaking the law despite his community service and roles. The judge noted that Hemingsley's decision to ask the boys to pose stripped to the waist for photos was a wrongful act that impacted their wellbeing.

Hemingsley, residing on Penzer Street in Kingswinford, pleaded guilty to two counts of taking indecent photographs of children and was sentenced to 10 months in jail, suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years and pay £500 towards prosecution costs.

Although some images had been posted online, Hemingsley claimed he had blocked access 30 to 40 times due to inappropriate comments from a 'glut of weirdos.' Police found a total of 469 indecent images and 17 videos on his computer.

This case resurfaced from reports in August 2017, when Hemingsley was found guilty after initially denying any wrongdoing. Judge Simon Ward mentioned that Hemingsly acknowledged the crimes but did not consider the images to be indecent when he took them. The Crown Prosecution Service was granted two weeks to review Hemingsley's plea, with sentencing scheduled for September 7.

Hemingsley, who had been suspended from the Labour Party following police investigations in 2015, remained on police bail for a year before facing charges. He also previously denied wrongdoing during a court hearing in Wolverhampton before the trial. He was prohibited from contacting anyone under 18 and warned by the judge that a prison sentence could be immediate if he violated conditions.

Hemingsley’s political career ended last April when Dudley Council removed him from his council position after he failed to attend meetings. Despite his community involvement, his actions led to his conviction and suspension from public office.