Man jailed after sexually abusing two children

A man has been sentenced to almost three decades in prison after sexually abusing two young girls.

David Hedges from Dilton Marsh was found guilty of three counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and four counts of indecent assault against the same girls on 17 occasions.

Hedges, 57, abused the girls over several years during the 1990s and 2000s.

He was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment at Salisbury Crown Court, plus a further year on licence.

Hedges will not be eligible for parole until serving a minimum of two-thirds of his sentence, when his case will be evaluated.

In addition to his custodial sentence, Hedges is subject to the requirements of being a registered sex offender, conditions of a sexual harm prevention order, and conditions of a restraining order to prohibit future contact with children indefinitely.

Det Con Graham Mansell from Wiltshire Police said steps were taken in 2005 to prevent "further abuse", but the investigation was reopened in 2017 "after the victims bravely came forward and gave their evidence to detectives in the child abuse investigations team".

"I welcome this sentencing, as it reflects the seriousness of these offences and the impact they have had on the victims," he said.

"Whilst custodial sentences ultimately end, longer term protection is provided by the orders which further prohibit contact with children in the future."

Det Con Mansell added that the victims finding the "strength and courage" to give their evidence enabled an investigation to be pursued and their abuser to be prosecuted.

"I'd like to thank the victims for their incredible bravery in coming forward and recounting what are unquestionably the most distressing and traumatic incidents from a time when they were both very young and vulnerable," he said.

"Their ability to do this made it possible to achieve a successful prosecution, resulting in today’s sentence.

"This could not have been achieved without their resilience and endurance. Without their evidence it would have remained impossible to prosecute their abuser."

Det Con Mansell also encouraged other victims to come forward.

"We will investigate, provide you with the full support available, and do all that we can to bring such offenders to justice," he said.

Those who wish to report sexual abuse can contact Wiltshire Police via 101, and seek counselling and support from the Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).

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