MAN JAILED FOR ABUSING GIRLS OVER FOUR DECADES
Herning Thompson, aged 82 and residing on Victoria Street in Skipton, was taken into custody in January 2024 following reports of abuse received by North Yorkshire Police.His criminal conduct spanned over forty years, from 1981 to 2020, involving victims aged between five and twelve, resulting in significant and lasting trauma.
An investigation conducted by the Harrogate & Craven Safeguarding Investigation Team led to Thompson being formally charged.
He faced trial at Leeds Crown Court, where a jury convicted him of six counts of indecent assault against a girl under 16; four counts of touching a girl under 13 in an inappropriate manner; four counts of penetration involving a girl under 13 with a body part or object; and two counts of attempted rape of a girl under 13.
The jury acquitted him of three charges of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching and one charge of assaulting a boy under 13 by touching.
During the sentencing hearing held on 11 March 2026, Thompson was sentenced to 18 years in prison, with an additional 12 months of extended licence upon release.
He was also issued a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
In her victim impact statement, one of the victims described how the sexual abuse has had a profound and lifelong impact on her, causing significant emotional distress and trauma.
She explained that what happened to her has deeply undermined her ability to trust others and feel safe around people.
She said: “Although many years have passed, the trauma of what happened has never left me.” She added: “I continue to experience distressing memories and emotional pain linked to what happened.” She went on to explain that the impact of the abuse did not end when the incidents stopped, but has continued for decades, affecting her ability to live without fear and anxiety, and still affecting her to this day.
