HORNTACELE MAN MICHAEL HICKS SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS FOR CHILD RAPE IN LINCOLN

In a case that has shocked the community of Horncastle, Michael Hicks has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 16 years after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses involving a young girl. The conviction was handed down at Lincoln Crown Court following a detailed trial where Hicks, aged 49 and residing on High Street in Horncastle, faced charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor.

Hicks had vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that he had not engaged in any sexual misconduct with the girl, who is protected by legal restrictions from being publicly identified. Despite his denials, the jury found him guilty of two counts of rape and six counts of sexual assault, all committed between December 2011 and April 2012. Additionally, Hicks was convicted of possessing indecent photographs of a child, a charge that further compounded his criminal record.

The investigation into the case was initiated after the girl’s mother discovered explicit text messages on her daughter’s mobile phone, which raised suspicions of inappropriate contact. The police subsequently conducted a search of Hicks’s phone and uncovered two indecent photographs of the girl, which served as critical evidence during the trial.

Throughout the proceedings, Hicks maintained that the photographs were not of the girl but of an adult woman, attempting to deny any involvement in the sexual abuse. However, the court was not convinced by his claims. The prosecution, led by Grace Hale, presented a compelling case that linked Hicks directly to the abuse and possession of illicit images.

During sentencing, Recorder Timothy Spencer QC addressed Hicks directly, highlighting the gravity of his actions. He remarked that Hicks had once been of exemplary character until approximately 18 months prior to the trial, but that a disturbing change had occurred. The judge described Hicks’s conduct as a calculated and exploitative pattern over several months, emphasizing the betrayal of trust involved in abusing a vulnerable young girl.

Recorder Spencer condemned Hicks for subjecting the girl to a traumatic court process by forcing her to testify, as well as causing distress to others involved in the case. He noted that Hicks showed no remorse, which contributed to the severity of the sentence. As part of his punishment, Hicks was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was prohibited from working with children in any capacity.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and the judicial system to protect minors and hold offenders accountable for their heinous crimes, especially within close-knit communities like Horncastle.