Former Southend United coach who abused young boys is jailed
He had sexually abused four boys for serval years
A former Southend United coach, who abused young boys, has been jailed.
Derek Hinchliffe worked at the club at the time of the offences in the 1970s.
Specialist detectives – who investigate non-recent child sexual offences – took on the investigation in May 2017.
They established he had sexually abused four boys over a period of several years.
Hinchliffe was later charged with 11 counts of indecent assault.
The now 82 year-old, of Ingfield Avenue, Ossett, West Yorkshire, was unanimously convicted on 6 February this year following a 14 day trial at Basildon Crown Court.
At the same court today he was sentenced to a total of seven years and seven months in prison.
DS Cole said: “I want to pay tribute to the bravery demonstrated by the survivors in this case in coming forward and telling us what happened to them.
Thank you for trusting us with your story and trusting us to get you justice.
Derek Hinchliffe was a prolific offender and preyed upon young boys for his own sexual gratification.
He will now spend the foreseeable future behind bars and I hope the survivors are able to use this sentence to move forward.
This case shows it is never too late to get justice, even if the offences took place decades ago.
If you report a crime you will be listened to and supported, and we will investigate.”