Child abuse ring exposed


Child abuse ring exposed 03 August 2000 Source: This is Hampshire TWO DETECTIVES have been praised for cracking one of Hampshire's biggest child abuse rings. Four men, whose depravity shocked hardened police officers, are behind bars or serving community service orders. Another is due to be sentenced in three weeks' time. Details of the incidents emerged after a series of court cases, which had publicity bans imposed by a judge. Restrictions were finally lifted at Portsmouth Crown Court yesterday. The scandal was unearthed following months of painstaking work by Det Sgt Jackie Rowlands and Det Con Terry Kimber. They have been commended by Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan. After the case Det Sgt Rowlands said: "These were horrific assaults. There were lots of scared witnesses and it was traumatic recalling the events. "They have been brave to give evidence and now feel it was worthwhile. They felt relieved to be believed." The incidents took place in Gosport. The results of the court cases are as follows: Ernest Bohea, 65, of Lawn Close, Gosport, received a nine- year prison stint for rape and attempted rape. Peter Sean Hicks, 30, of Dukes Road, Gosport, received 12 months jail after being found guilty of two charges of indecent assault. He will be on the sex offenders' register for ten years. Bryan James Hicks, 24, of Dukes Road, admitted six charges of indecent assault of girls under the age of 16. He received a three-year probation order. Quarterly reports on him are also being sent to the trial judge. Gary John Lucas, 41, of Beryton Road, Gosport, was found guilty of two charges of rape and two of indecent assault. He was sent to jail for a total of 11 years. A jury found him not guilty of two counts of rape and one of indecent assault. The judge ruled he should be on the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period. Peter Sydney Hicks, 60, of Dukes Road, was convicted of two charges of cruelty to a child. He was found not guilty of ten charges of indecent assault. He will be sentenced in three weeks. In a separate case, two counts of cruelty to children were quashed and a not guilty verdict returned on two other charges. James Thornhill, 65, of Crossways, Gosport, was found not guilty on the direction of the judge of ten counts of indecent assault and one of gross indecency with a child under the age of 16. A not guilty verdict was re-turned on a charge of adult rape. Phyllis Joan Hicks, 57, of Dukes Road, was charged with 18 counts of the willful neglect of a child. She died after her case was adjourned because of ill health. Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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