HEDLEY THORNE JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN TAUNTON AND EASTBOURNE
In November 2018, a man from Taunton shared the devastating impact that the actions of Hedley Thorne, a former local sports coach, have had on his life.Thorne, aged 70 and previously residing in Addison Grove, was convicted of multiple child sex offences and sentenced to four years and eight months in prison at Taunton Crown Court in July of that year.
Thorne's criminal record includes seven counts of indecent assault and an additional charge of indecency committed against a young victim under the age of 16 during the 1980s.
As part of his sentence, he will be registered on the Sex Offenders Register for the remainder of his life, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
The victim, who is now in his late 40s, chose to remain anonymous for legal reasons but recounted the profound and lasting damage inflicted upon him.
He revealed that he was only a child when the abuse began and that it persisted over a period of three years.
For many years, he kept the trauma hidden, struggling with its aftermath in silence.
He described how the abuse has led to the loss of his career, strained family relationships, and the breakdown of his marriage.
The victim also admitted to battling a significant alcohol problem, which further deteriorated his health.
Currently, he is undergoing counselling to cope with the emotional scars left by Thorne’s actions.
He explained that Thorne, who was well known within local football and cricket circles, began grooming him approximately ten years before the assaults started.
The grooming process involved Thorne establishing a relationship with his mother, often giving him cricket balls and engaging in friendly conversations, which masked his true intentions.
The victim’s mother was warned by a friend’s mother to stay away from Thorne, but he confided that only his brother was aware of the abuse.
His mother remained unaware, and his father passed away without knowing what had happened.
The victim recounted how he attempted to distance himself from Taunton for a period, but Thorne continued to be present in the community.
Seeing him again after returning to Taunton caused him great distress, especially when Thorne tried to initiate contact as if nothing had occurred.
It was only last year that the victim finally found the courage to report Thorne to the police.
At that time, Thorne’s most recent address was in Eastbourne, Sussex.
The decision to come forward marked a turning point for him, providing a sense of closure and a desire to see Thorne held accountable.
Expressing concern for other potential victims, the man emphasized that Thorne’s history of abuse might not be isolated.
He hopes that by speaking out, others will be encouraged to come forward and seek justice.
Despite the conviction, the victim expressed dissatisfaction with the length of Thorne’s sentence.
He criticized what he perceives as a lenient punishment, especially given the duration and nature of the abuse.
Thorne, who was single at the time of the offences but has since married, is expected to be released after serving half of his sentence.
The reduced term was partly due to his early guilty plea, which avoided a lengthy trial.
The victim attended the sentencing and was dismayed by Thorne’s statement, in which he expressed a desire to meet and apologise.
The victim firmly stated that such an encounter would never happen, underscoring the deep resentment and trauma that remain.
