PHILIP HAWKINS FROM BURGESS HILL SENTENCED FOR INTERNET GROOMING AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN CHELTENHAM

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Philip Hawkins, a resident of Burgess Hill, was sentenced to four years in prison for a series of disturbing crimes involving the grooming and sexual abuse of a teenage boy in Cheltenham. The court heard that Hawkins, aged 28, had established a manipulative relationship with the young victim through online platforms, specifically an internet chatroom and MSN messaging, when the boy was just 13 years old.

Hawkins’s predatory behavior extended over a period of nearly two years. He initially contacted the teenager via the internet, engaging him in conversations that gradually became more inappropriate. The court was told that Hawkins traveled approximately 200 miles from Burgess Hill to Cheltenham on multiple occasions to meet the boy in person, often staying in local hotels to carry out his abusive acts.

The court proceedings revealed that Hawkins’s obsession with underage boys was evident not only in his actions but also in his extensive collection of indecent images. A substantial library of such material was discovered, comprising over 70,000 images, including photographs of Hawkins himself with the victim. This collection underscored the severity of his offending and his ongoing danger to children.

Judge Martin Picton, presiding over the case at Gloucester Crown Court, emphasized the gravity of Hawkins’s misconduct. He stated, “You groomed and corrupted a boy in his early teens — an age when many young boys and girls are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and the lasting damage that can result. What you did was very serious. It was deliberate and prolonged.” The judge also highlighted that Hawkins’s criminal activities included showing the victim indecent images, further demonstrating his disturbing obsession.

During the sentencing, Judge Picton noted that Hawkins’s behavior posed a continuing threat unless he underwent appropriate treatment. The court was informed that Hawkins would be eligible for parole after serving just over a year, but he would then be subject to a six-year extended license period. During this time, he would be required to participate in sex offender treatment programs to mitigate the risk he poses.

Hawkins had previously pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including ten counts of making indecent photographs of children, one count of possessing such images, and several charges related to causing or inciting a 15-year-old boy to engage in sexual activity. The offences spanned from August 2005 to April 2007, with additional charges involving sexual activity and grooming occurring between 2006 and 2007.

Prosecutor Mary Harley recounted that Hawkins’s criminal conduct was uncovered after the police seized his computer hard drives. The first hard drive contained over 5,300 images of teenage males, including photographs of Hawkins with the victim. The second contained nearly 600 video files and a staggering 70,000 indecent images involving minors of both genders.

Hawkins was arrested at his home in Burgess Hill on April 15 of the previous year and admitted to the police his involvement in these crimes. His defense lawyer, David Webster, argued that Hawkins had shown genuine remorse since his arrest. Nevertheless, the court imposed a significant sentence, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses.

In addition to his prison term, Hawkins was subjected to a lifelong sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from contacting children under 18. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community from further harm.