JEREMY JACKMAN FROM ANDOVER SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TWO BROTHERS IN HISTORIC CASE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community of Andover, Hampshire, Dr. Jeremy Jackman, a once-respected general practitioner, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison following his conviction for the sexual abuse of two young boys. The offences, which took place over a period spanning from 1978 to 1983, involved the abuse of two brothers, aged 11 and 13 at the time, whom Jackman had initially befriended after meeting one of them on a children’s ward at Mayday Hospital.

Jackman, aged 53 at the time of sentencing, had established a professional and personal relationship with the boys and their mother, which later turned into a pattern of abuse. The court heard that Jackman’s misconduct was a gross betrayal of the trust placed in him as a medical professional. The jury found him guilty of two counts of indecent assault against the older boy and two counts of indecency against the younger brother. However, he was acquitted of an additional charge of indecent assault at Croydon Crown Court on the same day.

Judge Simon Pratt, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of Jackman’s actions, stating that the offences occurred more than 25 years ago, which influenced the length of the sentence. He remarked that if the crimes had been committed more recently, a longer prison term would have been justified. The judge described Jackman’s conduct as a “savage breach of trust,” highlighting the betrayal not only of the individual boys but also of the public’s trust in the medical profession.

Judge Pratt further condemned Jackman for grooming the older boy, noting that grooming a child for sexual misconduct is now recognized as a criminal offence in its own right, and considered an aggravating factor in the case. The court’s decision reflected the seriousness of the offences and the need for justice.

Following his conviction, Jackman has been suspended from practicing as a GP in Andover. The Mid Hampshire Primary Care Trust announced that it would notify the General Medical Council, the regulatory body for doctors, about his conviction. Additionally, Jackman will be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, a measure designed to protect the community and prevent further harm. The case has left a lasting impact on the community, raising questions about safeguarding and the responsibilities of medical professionals in protecting vulnerable children.