January 30, 2017 1.45 pm This story is over 92 months old

Pensioner who subjected young girls to vile sexual abuse has jail sentence slashed

A sadistic pensioner jailed for horrifying sex attacks on two young girls has had his prison term reduced on appeal. Alan Hawkins, 70, of Marshchapel, pleaded guilty to two sexual assaults and two indecent assaults at Derby Crown Court back in March 2016. The victims were aged just 11 and six when they were attacked…
Alan Hawkins has had his sentence reduced at the Court of Appeal. Photo: Lincolnshire Police

A sadistic pensioner jailed for horrifying sex attacks on two young girls has had his prison term reduced on appeal.

Alan Hawkins, 70, of Marshchapel, pleaded guilty to two sexual assaults and two indecent assaults at Derby Crown Court back in March 2016.

The victims were aged just 11 and six when they were attacked by Hawkins, who told one of the girls to keep his vile act a secret.

He was jailed for seven years and four months for the assaults, which took place over two decades apart.

However, Hawkins’ lawyers argued that the sentence was too long, and urged judges to take into consideration all other circumstances, including his age.

Judges at the Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence, slashing Hawkins’ jail term to six years and six months.