Sex offender is jailed after being found guilty of string of offences in Staffordshire

Fifty-five-year-old Dean Hearson from Staffordshire was found guilty of 15 counts of indecent assault on a male and four counts of indecency with a child following a trial in October.

Staffordshire Police said allegations against Hearson were initially reported to officers in 2018 and as a result its Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team launched an investigation in the offences which happened in the county in the 1990s and early 2000s.

In a joint statement Dc  Diane Sproston and investigative officer Janine Shropshire, of the team, said: “We would like to commend the bravery of the victims in reporting Hearson’s abhorrent behaviour and gave evidence during the trial.

“We welcome Hearson’s sentence and I hope it shows that time is no barrier to reporting sexual offences and that we take every report extremely seriously.

“If you have experienced child sexual abuse, you will be believed. You will be treated with respect, compassion and empathy and you will be supported by specialist detectives.”

Hearson, of Brown Edge, was jailed for18 years at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Thursday.

He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.