JOSEPH HOPKINS SHOCKS LICHFIELD AND ROCESTER WITH CHILD RAPE CONVICTIONS IN DECEMBER 2020

In a deeply disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Lichfield and Rocester, Joseph Hopkins, a 78-year-old former social worker, has been sentenced to over eleven years in prison for heinous crimes committed decades ago. The allegations pertain to the sexual abuse of a young boy in the 1990s, with the abuse reportedly taking place in a secluded area within the vicinity of Rocester. The victim, who has since grown into an adult, came forward following the initiation of a police investigation in 2015, leading to charges that included buggery and two counts of indecent assault.

Hopkins, who was residing in Lichfield at the time of his arrest, was brought before Stafford Crown Court where a jury found him guilty of all charges on Wednesday, December 2. The court sentenced him to 11 years and six months behind bars, and he was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life. The conviction marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to address historical child abuse cases in the region.

This case is not Hopkins' first encounter with the law related to sexual offenses. Back in January 2004, he sought to have his previous convictions reduced, but his appeal was unsuccessful. Hopkins had been sentenced to 12 years in November 2001 after being convicted at trial of multiple offenses committed against children at the Riverside Children’s Home in Rocester, where he worked as a social worker. The crimes, which spanned from 1981 to 1985, included one count of rape, nine counts of indecent assault, and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The jury acquitted him of one charge of rape, one of indecency with a child, and three additional indecent assaults.

During the trial at Worcester Crown Court, Hopkins, of Ash Grove, Lichfield, denied all allegations. His defense argued that some of the victims had fabricated their claims, citing inconsistencies such as one victim’s claim of not seeking compensation, which she later admitted was false after being confronted with a letter from her solicitor. The defense also highlighted what they described as a 'massive trawling exercise' by police, which involved newspaper advertisements seeking former residents of the Riverside Home to come forward for interviews. Critics of the investigation suggested that there might have been collusion among some complainants, who could have shared information or notes before giving evidence.

Hopkins’ appeal against his convictions was dismissed by Lord Justice Pill at the London Appeal Court, although his sentence was reduced from 12 to 10 years. The judges did not immediately provide reasons for their decisions, but the case continues to be scrutinized for its procedural aspects. Hopkins’ arrest and subsequent convictions stem from Operation Thor, a police investigation launched in 1999 into allegations of abuse at the Riverside Children’s Home during the 1980s. Since its inception, Operation Thor has resulted in seven convictions, highlighting the persistent efforts of Staffordshire Police to bring justice for victims of historical abuse. The Riverside Home itself was closed in 1989, but the scars left by the abuse continue to resonate within the community and serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children.