Billericay: Man jailed for 22 years for non-recent sexual offences against children

“Hawkins has spent the last 50 years thinking he has got away with sexually abusing young children but the bravery of these victims has finally held him accountable.”

A detective from our Child Abuse Investigation team has praised the bravery of victims, after a man was jailed today following an investigation into non-recent sexual abuse of children.

Kevin Hawkins, 65 of Daines Road, Billericay appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday, 20 June where he was sentenced to 22 years after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences.

An investigation was by Essex Police was launched in March 2021 after a woman reported that she was sexually abused by Hawkins in the 80s. Hawkins was arrested and released on bail whilst a complex investigation was launched. During the early enquiries, a further five people came forward to report that Hawkins had sexually abused them when they were children. The most historic offence reported took place in 1973.

After being arrested for these offences, Hawkins was charged with 19 offences including rape, 18 of which were sexual offences against children as young as 7 years old.

Following a trial at Basildon Crown Court, Hawkins was found guilty on 16 February of 16 sexual offences including rape of a child under 16 and five counts of indecent assault.

He was found not guilty on counts against three people. 

He appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday, 20 June where he was sentenced to 22 years. 

Investigating officer PC Nick Schneider from the Child Abuse Investigation Team said:

“This sentence proves that there is no time limit when it comes to getting justice. Hawkins has spent the last 50 years thinking he has got away with sexually abusing young children but the bravery of these victims has finally held him accountable.

“The strength it takes to repeatedly go through a traumatic experience you went through as a child cannot be underestimated, however this strength from the victims has meant that Hawkins cannot harm anyone else.

“If I could speak directly to anyone who may have experienced abuse as a child, but not found the strength to report to contact us or one of the amazing support services within Synergy Essex for support.

“Our Child Abuse Investigation Team and Quest team are equipped to investigate all reports of non-recent sexual abuse.”

Support is there for anyone affected by rape and sexual abuse, and no victim or survivor is alone. Synergy Essex provides specialist support for victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all ages and all genders across Essex, Thurrock and Southend.

Synergy Essex is a partnership of rape and sexual abuse centres in Essex: CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis). Synergy Essex is independent from the police and provides support for victims and survivors throughout their journey.  

Victims and survivors can self-refer, or be referred by a parent, partner, friend or professional and can access specialist emotional support, counselling and advocacy.  For victims and survivors who report to the police, Synergy Essex provides an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service, providing support throughout the criminal justice process.  

For more information visit the Synergy Essex website: https://synergyessex.org.uk/ 

At Essex Police we put victims at the heart of everything we do. The Victims’ Code explains the rights that everyone can expect to receive as a victim of crime, and helps us define what we must do for all victims from their initial contact with our force until the conclusion of their case.

Find out more about the code and to understand the rights of a victim of crime, on our support for victims and witnesses of crime page.

To report a crime, please use our digital 101 service. In an emergency call 999. 

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