ROGER HICKS FROM LONG SUTTON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ONLINE CHAT WITH UNDERAGE GIRLS IN LINCOLN
In August 2020, a man from Long Sutton was sentenced to serve a minimum of eight months in prison after engaging in a series of disturbing online communications with individuals he believed to be underage girls.The case was heard at Lincoln Crown Court, where it was revealed that Roger Hicks, aged 58, had been involved in a series of illicit exchanges over a period of several days, during which he believed he was communicating with minors aged 13 and 14.
According to court records, Hicks used his home in Long Sutton to contact two undercover police officers who were posing as 13-year-old girls.
These interactions took place between June 11 and June 19, during which Hicks created online message groups titled ‘Friends All Ages’.
Prosecutor Stuart Lody explained that Hicks used a profile picture of a puppy dog to appear friendly and trustworthy, claiming to be a group administrator in an attempt to gain the trust of the young girls.
The messages quickly took a sexual turn, with Hicks sending explicit photographs of himself, some of which depicted sexual acts.
He also requested the girls to send similar images and asked them to dress up as schoolgirls, further indicating his inappropriate intentions.
The court heard that Hicks’s communications became increasingly sexualized, crossing boundaries that are legally and morally unacceptable.
Further disturbing details emerged when it was revealed that from June 14 to June 26, Hicks had been communicating with a member of a paedophile hunters group, who was posing as a 14-year-old girl.
Similar messages were exchanged during this period, with Hicks engaging in explicit conversations.
The situation culminated when a member of the paedophile hunters group visited Hicks’s residence in Long Sutton, confronting him directly at his front door.
This unexpected encounter led to neighbors becoming agitated, prompting police to be called to the scene.
Hicks was promptly arrested at his home, where he was taken into custody for questioning and to ensure his safety.
The arrest was a significant development, although it was noted that the actions of the paedophile hunters may have disrupted ongoing police investigations, potentially hindering the apprehension of other offenders.
The police seized computers and phones from Hicks’s property, which were ordered to be destroyed as part of the case.
Hicks had previously pleaded guilty to the charges, and it was highlighted that he had no prior criminal convictions.
He was described as being employed full-time and married for the past 20 years.
Despite his otherwise clean record, the court found his actions deeply concerning.
Judge John Pini sentenced Hicks to eight months for each of the six counts of sexual communication with a minor, with additional terms of 16 months each for two counts of inciting a child to view sexual images, and 16 months each for two counts of inciting a girl to engage in non-penetrative sexual activities.
All sentences are to run concurrently, meaning Hicks will serve a total of 16 months in prison.
The judge also ordered Hicks to participate in a sexual harm rehabilitation course and mandated the destruction of all electronic devices seized from his home.
In his remarks, Judge Pini emphasized the seriousness of the offences, stating, “It leads to a total of 16 months of which you will serve half immediately due to the seriousness of the offences.” He expressed concern over the pre-sentence report describing Hicks as “dangerous,” but noted that his lack of previous convictions and absence of intent to meet the minors suggested he was not inherently dangerous.
The judge advised Hicks that seeking help to prevent reoffending was his responsibility, adding, “If you do want to get that help in order not to reoffend then it’s up to you to seek it.”
