MARK HOBDAY JAILED FOR 11 YEARS IN CLEETHORPES FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST BOY

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Cleethorpes, Mark Hobday, a 51-year-old man, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 11 years after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences committed against a young boy. The incident has highlighted the ongoing battle against child abuse and the importance of justice for victims.

Hobday, who resides on Chichester Road in Cleethorpes, faced a total of nine charges related to the sexual assault of the young boy. Throughout the trial at Grimsby Crown Court, Hobday maintained his innocence, denying all nine allegations brought against him. However, after a thorough trial process, the jury deliberated and reached a unanimous verdict, convicting him on all counts.

The court proceedings revealed that Hobday exploited the trust of the young victim on multiple occasions between July 22 and September 10 of the previous year. The offences involved sexual acts that caused significant trauma to the boy, who was vulnerable and unable to defend himself. The court heard detailed accounts of the abuse, which underscored the severity of Hobday’s actions.

Following the conviction, the court imposed strict measures to prevent any future harm. Hobday was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and was issued an indefinite sexual offences prevention order. Additionally, he was permanently barred from working with children, a move aimed at safeguarding others from potential harm.

Detective Constable Melanie Goodman, who led the investigation, expressed her satisfaction with the jury’s swift and decisive verdict. She praised the victim’s family for their support and cooperation throughout the investigation, acknowledging the difficulty they faced during this challenging period. Det Con Goodman emphasized the importance of justice and hoped that the outcome would help the victim and his family begin to move forward.

Detective Sergeant John Shepherd, a member of the public protection team, also commented on the case, highlighting the significance of the lengthy sentence. He stated, “Mark Hobday not only abused the child but sought to put the child through the further traumatic experience of having his evidence challenged in court. It is only right that, in such cases, the most harsh sentences are given out by the court.” He further stressed that offenders targeting vulnerable individuals must understand that their actions will be uncovered and punished. Sergeant Shepherd concluded by acknowledging the courage of victims who come forward and encouraging others to do the same, so that justice can be served and offenders held accountable.