Hello,

We wanted to make you aware of a recent update from court, whereby an 18-year-old man has been jailed for multiple sexual offences against two girls in Southampton.
 

James Thomas Hearn, of Bracken Lane, appeared at Southampton Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 17 October) where he was sentenced to four years in a Young Offenders Institution. 

Hearn pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16, one multiple incident count of sexual activity with a child under 13 and one multiple incident count of sexual assault of a child under 13 at a hearing at the same court on Thursday 12 September.

The court heard how police received a report on November 102022 that Hearn, who was aged 16 at the time, was having sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl. 

The court was also told how Hearn targeted a second victim, a 13-year-old girl, on social media in December of last year. In the early hours of December 14 2023, the girl met Hearn in person for the first time at Redbridge train station, where he sexually assaulted her.

A short time later, he sexually assaulted her a second time close to his home address. The girl told her mum what had happened to her, and together they reported it to police. A couple of months later, in March 2024, Hearn had begun sending threatening messages to the victim.

Hearn appeared at Southampton Crown Court for sentencing and was sentenced to four years in a Young Offenders Institution, given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely. 

Police Staff Investigator Rebecca Stevens and Detective Constable Gemma Boyle, of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Western Child Abuse Investigation Team, who led the investigations, said: “What happened to these girls at the hands of Hearn is far beyond what most of us will ever be able to comprehend, and we thank them sincerely for coming forward and reporting what happened to the police.

“Their courage and bravery means that Hearn will now spend time in prison for his abhorrent crimes, which these girls must live with for the rest of their lives. Nothing can ever take away what happened to them, but we do hope that this sentence goes some way to helping them move forward with their lives.

“We also hope that the news of this sentence helps others who have suffered similar abuse to find the confidence to come forward and speak to the police knowing their voices will be heard and that there is support available.”

Anyone who has any concerns about child abuse should contact us on 101, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.

We recognise that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police, but there are support services available that can help you if you are a victim of abuse.

Anyone who has experienced abuse in childhood, or is concerned about a child, can contact the NSPCC helpline, confidentially, on 0808 800 5000. Alternatively, you can email help@nspcc.org.uk. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111.

As a survivor of sexual abuse, you’re entitled to support, whether you report the crime or not. You can access different types of support depending on how you’re feeling and what you decide to do next.

Please follow the below link for more information: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/rape-sexual-assault-support/.