STUART HOOD SENTENCED TO 14.5 YEARS FOR SHOCKING CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN HOLSWORTHY AND OKEHAMPTON

A man identified as Stuart Hood, a former soldier residing in Okehampton, has been sentenced to a prison term of fourteen and a half years after being found guilty of numerous historical sexual offences committed against minors. The gravity of his crimes spans several decades, beginning when Hood was himself a teenager in the 1970s, and continuing into his young adulthood, revealing a long pattern of disturbing behavior.

Hood’s offending involved the sexual assault of a young boy as well as two teenage girls. Throughout the trial, prosecutors portrayed him as a bully with a penchant for deviant sexual conduct, describing him as someone who derived pleasure from physically overpowering his victims. Evidence highlighted troubling episodes, including an incident where he chased one victim with a horse whip and another case where he stripped a girl completely naked.

At 59 years old, Hood faced a series of criminal charges that culminated in his conviction on eleven counts of indecent assault and indecency with a child. The trial took place in January at Exeter Crown Court, where the court deliberated extensively on the case. Subsequently, Hood returned to the same court on the following Friday to receive his sentencing.

According to the court proceedings, all three victims disclosed their abuse to various individuals at different times throughout their childhoods. However, these confessions did not immediately lead to legal action; it was only in 2018 that the male victim finally reported the abuse to police authorities, leading to Hood’s conviction.

One of the victims provided a heartfelt statement emphasizing the profound impact Hood’s actions had on their life. They described their childhood as being poisoned by Hood's misconduct, labeling him as a “sick, perverse and a sadistic liar,” and expressed hope that the lengthy sentence would reflect the immense harm inflicted. Another victim also shared their hope that their courage in coming forward would encourage others who have endured similar abuse to seek justice and free themselves from shame.

During the trial, Hood denied the allegations, claiming that the victims were making false accusations against him. In his defense, several character references were introduced, depicting him as a hardworking, married man who had become a respected member of the community. His legal representative, Joss Ticehurst, argued that the majority of the offending occurred many years ago, and since then, Hood had established himself as a valued community figure and devoted family man.

Despite these character references, Judge Anna Richardson sentenced Hood, emphasizing the complex nature of his character. She acknowledged that while Hood had contributed positively to the community and was a family man, his past actions had caused severe trauma to his victims, marking him as a dangerous and violent predator. The judge clarified that Hood would serve at least two-thirds of his sentence in custody before any considerations for parole or early release could be made.

This case underscores the longstanding and often hidden reality of sexual abuse, especially when perpetrated by seemingly respectable community members. The court’s decision aims to deliver justice for the victims and serve as a stark reminder of the lasting scars such abuses leave.