JAMES HADEN FROM KIDDERMINSTER SENTENCED FOR MULTIPLE SEXUAL OFFENCES IN WORCESTER

A resident of Kidderminster, James Haden, aged 44, has been formally sentenced after being found guilty of committing a series of serious sexual offences, including rape and engaging in sexual activities with a minor. The sentencing took place on Wednesday, June 4, at Worcester Crown Court, which was held at the Redditch Justice Centre.

Haden, who resides in the Foley Park and Hoobrook areas of Kidderminster, faced a total of 11 criminal counts related to his actions. These counts encompassed a range of heinous acts, such as sexual assault, multiple counts of assault by penetration, sexual activity with a child, attempted rape, and multiple counts of rape. The court heard that these offences occurred over a period spanning from April 24, 2020, to April 23, 2021.

In the courtroom, it was revealed that Haden initially entered a guilty plea to all charges during a plea and trial preparation hearing held on October 7, 2024. However, he later sought to change his plea to not guilty, a request that the court did not entertain, proceeding instead with the original guilty verdict.

During sentencing, the judge imposed a series of concurrent prison terms. Haden was sentenced to one year for sexual assault, which was to run concurrently with other sentences. For the four counts of assault by penetration, he received ten years each, with these sentences running concurrently. The charge of sexual activity with a child resulted in a one-year sentence, also concurrent. The attempted rape count carried a nine-year sentence, and the four counts of rape each resulted in 13 years and 6 months, with three of these counts to run concurrently. All sentences were ordered to be served together, resulting in a total prison term of 13 years and six months.

In addition to his prison sentence, Haden was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £190. The court also imposed a lifelong restraining order to prevent any contact with the victims and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to restrict his future conduct. These measures are intended to protect the victims and the wider community from any potential harm stemming from Haden's actions.