JEREMY HICKS: EXETER AND NEWCASTLE SEX OFFENDER STRIKES AGAIN IN BRITAIN AND FRANCE

In a disturbing case that spans decades and multiple locations, Jeremy Hicks, a known sex offender with a long criminal history, has been convicted of heinous crimes against a young girl in Exeter. The incident, which took place in 1994, involved Hicks, who was 32 at the time, meeting a 15-year-old girl and engaging in a sexual relationship that would leave lasting scars.

Hicks, who had prior convictions for sexual assault and exposure dating back to the 1980s, met the girl in Exeter and quickly established a relationship with her. The first night they spent alone together was at her parents' farmhouse, where Hicks committed the first of what would be multiple sexual offenses. During the trial at Exeter Crown Court, it was revealed that Hicks told his victim he was excited by having sex with her, despite her protests and attempts to say no. His actions were characterized by the court as predatory and manipulative, taking advantage of her vulnerability and confusion.

Following a thorough investigation, authorities tracked Hicks down to his current residence in France. He was arrested as he stepped off a Eurostar train in London, bringing an end to his international flight and allowing for his extradition and subsequent trial. Hicks, now aged 54, faced multiple charges, including two counts of rape and five other sexual assaults. Despite denying these charges, a jury at Exeter Crown Court found him guilty last month.

Judge Geoffrey Mercer, QC, sentenced Hicks to 15 years in prison. The judge also ordered him to sign the sex offenders' register for life and imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that prohibits any contact with children after his release. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Mercer emphasized the severity of Hicks' crimes, stating, “Your victim was just 15 when you approached her in Exeter and she was confused, impressionable and vulnerable. You knew her age full well.”

He further condemned Hicks' actions, highlighting that he saw the girl as nothing more than a sexual opportunity. The judge detailed how Hicks engaged in a sexual relationship that was partly consensual but involved non-consensual acts on at least two occasions, including the first rape at her family home. The court heard that Hicks persisted despite the girl’s protests, and on one occasion, he told her he was excited by her saying no, which added to the trauma inflicted upon her.

In his victim impact statement, the girl described the profound and lasting damage Hicks' actions had caused her. Prosecutor Mr. Nigel Wraith noted that Hicks had already been assessed as a dangerous offender following a 2005 sexual assault conviction in Newcastle. Additionally, Hicks had been jailed again in 2012 for breaching a sexual offences prevention order by loitering near a seven-year-old girl at Newcastle Central Station.

Hicks' criminal record is extensive, including convictions for indecent exposure, indecent assault on a female, gross indecency with a child, and failure to notify police of a change of address. His history of offending underscores the ongoing risk he poses to the community.

In a separate incident in June 2008, Hicks was found to have violated a court order designed to keep him away from children. He was spotted by an off-duty police officer at Newcastle’s Central Station, standing with a fixed gaze on a young girl. When searched, Hicks was found to be carrying a bottle of amyl nitrate, a substance often used as a sex stimulant, along with a small amount of cannabis. Magistrates convicted him of breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order and possessing controlled substances, leading to a two-year prison sentence.

Judge Michael Cartlidge commented on Hicks’ lengthy and troubling criminal history, stating, “From the age of 16 the defendant has a terrible record. It seems to me he is going to have to come to terms with the fact he will carry on offending unless he volunteers for some help.”

Hicks’ repeated violations and the severity of his crimes highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the justice system in managing repeat offenders with a history of sexual misconduct. His case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilant monitoring and intervention to protect vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior.