Sex offender could also be stress-free in Benidorm say cops as they challenge arrest warrant
One man who was found guilty of sexual assault has since fled the country before his official sentencing – with police enquiries suggesting he might be in Benidorm
A prisoner who was due to be sentenced failed to arrive at court – and officials think he could have fled to sunny Benidorm.
Kenneth Hinds, 75, was convicted of nine counts of sexual assault following a trial at Hull Crown Court in February. Following this, he was due to be sentenced on a week ago, but prosecutor Michael Masson said there was no pre-sentence report available because Hinds had not seen the Probation Service since his case. They added he was believed to be abroad.
The case has been adjourned, with court officials suggesting the sex offender could be in Benidorm. Police, who are currently looking into his whereabouts, said the pensioner was thought to be on the Costa Blanca.
As of yet, there was no evidence he had booked return tickets from the popular holiday destination. The man, from Malton, Yorkshire, appeared in court in February.
Hinds’ victims attended court for his sentencing before they knew he wouldn’t show up.
Police attended the pensioner’s home in Malton to try and locate him, but he was nowhere to be seen. Mr Recorder Thomas Moran was then asked to issue an arrest warrant not backed for bail in the hopes he might be located.
Matthew Moore-Taylor, defence barrister, revealed there was “scant information” about the whereabouts of the Hinds. They also do not know why the man didn’t turn up for his probation report.
Solicitors were informed by Moore-Taylor that there was a “nil (pre-sentence) report” and they also tried to reach out to Hinds.
“They have been unable to contact him via email,” said Moore-Taylor. “They sent letters and the phone number they have for him was going straight to voicemail.”
He added: “I learned today of the possibility that the defendant is not in the country and may be in Spain.
“The OIC (officer in charge of the case) has already started these enquiries. These enquiries will continue to locate Mr Hinds.”
Hinds was charged with nine counts of sexual assault on a girl under 16 years old. He was tried over three days and found guilty of all offences.
He was given conditional bail before sentence, but appeared to have left the country before that.
Mr Recorder Moran said: “The fact that Hinds’s non-attendance has caused additional distress to the victims will reflect in a consecutive sentence for skipping bail in addition to the sentence he is going to receive for the sexual offences.”
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