ROBERT HAWKSWORTH FROM FINDERN SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC RAPE OF TEENAGE DAUGHTER IN DERBYSHIRE

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the community of Findern, Derbyshire, Robert Hawksworth, aged 54, was convicted of raping his teenage daughter during a weekend visit. The incident, which took place in November 2012, has brought to light the horrifying abuse that Emily, then 17, endured at the hands of her father.

According to Emily’s testimony, Hawksworth had been abusing her sexually since she was 14 years old. The abuse came to light only after the teenager summoned the courage to report the incident to the police following the latest assault. Emily, now 18, chose to waive her right to anonymity to speak openly about her ordeal, aiming to raise awareness and help other young victims who might be suffering in silence.

Emily recounted that during the weekend visit to her father’s home in Findern, he had plied her with wine, which he provided, and she became intoxicated. She described feeling unwell the following morning, sensing that something had happened to her. She said, “When I woke up in the morning I felt sick and I felt like something had happened. I felt violated.” She explained that she had remained a virgin until this traumatic event.

Throughout that Sunday, Hawksworth continued to pressure her, asking her to go into town and even insisting she take the Pill, which she refused. Emily stated, “I refused to take it because I did not want to believe what had happened. I was blunt with him and I didn’t want the conversation to be brought up.” That evening, upon returning home, Emily was overwhelmed with emotion and burst into tears in front of her mother, Karen Atalay. Her mother, sensing something was wrong, urged her to speak, and Emily revealed the assault. This led to her mother immediately contacting the police.

Hawksworth, who denied the allegations of rape and sexual assault, was arrested and brought to trial at Derby Crown Court. During the proceedings, he maintained his innocence, but the evidence presented was compelling. The court heard that during the weekend, Hawksworth and Emily had been drinking wine and cider together, which he had supplied. Emily became very drunk and was sick, after which Hawksworth tended to her and put her to bed. The court found that during the night, Hawksworth entered her room, removed her underwear, and engaged in full sexual intercourse with her, despite her being a virgin. Judge John Burgess described this act as a gross breach of trust and a violation of a vulnerable girl.

In his sentencing, Judge Burgess sentenced Hawksworth to nine years in prison. The judge emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “She was visiting you as she regularly did for the weekend. During the course of that Friday evening, you and she were drinking both wine and cider, alcohol you provided. She became very drunk and was very sick. You tended to her and she was put to bed. During the night, you came into her room, removed her underwear, and had full sex. This was a gross breach of trust and the violation of a vulnerable girl.”

It was also revealed that Hawksworth had a history of abusive behavior. He had separated from Emily’s mother, Karen, in 2001 after an “extremely abusive” relationship, which she described as “terrible and heart-breaking.” Karen Atalay, now 53, expressed her feelings about her daughter’s suffering, saying, “I felt quite guilty. I felt it was my fault. My marriage to him was extremely abusive, but I was too frightened to tell anybody anything. I’m relieved that at last we have some justice. We have all found it very hard to lead a normal life. I think we have got through the worst, but we are just trying to come to terms with what has happened.”

In an effort to distance herself from her father’s memory, Emily has taken steps to change her surname by deed poll and has burned all photographs and gifts given to her by Hawksworth. Her case has highlighted the importance of speaking out against abuse and the devastating impact it can have on victims and their families.