Man jailed for almost three decades for sexually abusing two young girls

A 57-year-old man from Dilton Marsh has been jailed after being found guilty of sexually abusing two young children over a number of years.

David Hedges was earlier found guilty of three counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and four counts of indecent assault against the same girls on no fewer than 17 occasions.

His abuse was perpetrated over several years throughout 90s and 2000s.

Today (02/07), at Salisbury Crown Court, Hedges was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment, plus a further year on licence. 

He will be required to serve a minimum of two-thirds before being eligible for parole, when his case will be evaluated. 

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

Det Con Graham Mansell said: "I welcome this sentencing, as it reflects the seriousness of these offences and the impact they have had on the victims. Whilst custodial sentences ultimately end, longer term protection is provided by the orders which further prohibit contact with children in the future.

“This case involves the most abhorrent sexual abuse of very young children lasting for several years.  Steps taken in 2005 prevented further abuse, but there wasn’t enough evidence to pursue a prosecution.  The investigation was reopened in 2017 after the victims bravely came forwards and gave their evidence to detectives in the child abuse investigation team.  Despite the abuse suffered, the victims were able to find the strength and courage to give their accounts which ultimately led to their abuser being found guilty.  When the victims were able to give their evidence, the investigation could be pursued and their abuser 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.  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.

“I’d also like to thank the members of the jury, who have to face the distressing evidence of the case and without whom offenders like Hedges could not be brought to justice.

“I hope this case can inspire confidence that victims of non-recent sexual abuse will be believed, the police will be tenacious in the pursuit of justice and will investigate thoroughly.  Where there is sufficient evidence a prosecution will be pursued.

“Thankfully, crimes of this nature are rare, but it serves as an important reminder that there are a small minority of people who seek to sexually exploit and abuse children, even very young children.  Wiltshire police will continue to do everything within its power to bring child abusers to justice and safeguard children and victims of abuse.

“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who may have been a victim of sexual abuse to report it to police.

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

If you wish to report sexual abuse please contact us on 101.

Victims can also seek support and counselling from the Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) - they can be contacted on the helpline 01793 781916.

Further information about support available to victims of sexual assault can be found at Support for victims of rape and sexual assault | Wiltshire Police