JACK PARKINSON GOXHILL SHIP'S CAPTAIN CONVICTED OF APPALLING CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULTS

In December 2016, a disturbing case emerged involving Jack Parkinson, a 68-year-old former ship's captain from Howe Lane, Goxhill, who was found to have committed serious sexual offenses against a child under the age of 13. The case gained attention after Parkinson's own words, recorded during a private conversation, revealed his admission to these heinous acts.

Parkinson's criminal behavior spanned from August 2013 to October of the previous year, during which he engaged in multiple acts of sexual assault on the young victim. The gravity of his actions was underscored by the court, with Judge Kate Buckingham presiding over the case at Grimsby Crown Court. The judge described the offenses as “appalling,” emphasizing the potential long-term impact on the child involved and expressing concern over the lasting psychological effects that such trauma could inflict.

The legal proceedings revealed that the evidence against Parkinson was significantly based on a recorded conversation. After returning from an overseas trip, Parkinson engaged in a discussion with another man, during which he openly admitted to the offenses. This conversation was electronically recorded, providing crucial evidence for the prosecution. Interestingly, when police initially interviewed Parkinson, he chose to remain silent, offering no comment. It was only later, during court proceedings, that he admitted to touching the child, confirming the allegations.

In sentencing, Judge Buckingham acknowledged the severity of the crimes but ultimately handed down a sentence that many considered lenient. Parkinson was sentenced to two years in prison, but this sentence was suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed further offenses within that period. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 50 days of participation in a sexual offenders' rehabilitation program and was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a decade.

The court also mandated that Parkinson undergo two years of supervised probation, with regular reviews every six months to assess his progress in the rehabilitation program. The judge expressed concern about his online activity and ordered probation officers to monitor his computer use closely. Furthermore, the court directed the prosecution to keep track of Parkinson’s international travel, given the circumstances of his trips abroad.

Following the hearing, a representative of the victim expressed dissatisfaction with the sentence, stating, “A suspended sentence seems lenient. It should have been custody.” The case has raised ongoing concerns about the adequacy of sentencing in cases involving sexual offenses against children and the importance of vigilant monitoring of offenders post-conviction.