Stephen Hoskin 53

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A Plymouth man has been jailed for sexually abusing a girl at Burrator reservoir 26 years ago. Stephen Hoskin, 52, of Saltburn Road, Plymouth, initially stood trial at the court on four charges relating to an incident which took place sometime between January and June in 1997.

Hoskin was accused of raping a girl under the age of 16 at the reservoir, two counts of indecently assaulting the girl and one count of committing an act of gross indecency with a child. Hoskin had denied all the charges.

At a trial held at Plymouth Crown Court in March this year, Hoskin was found guilty on two charges; one of indecent assault and one of inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency, both of which were committed against the same victim. He was cleared of rape.

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At the trial, the court heard that the victim was under 16 when subjected to the abuse in 1997, when Hoskin was in his mid to late-20s. Although the offences were originally reported to police in the summer of that year, no charges were brought against Hoskin but after the victim, now an adult, contacted Devon and Cornwall Police in 2020 to better understand why the case had been closed, changes and developments in investigative approach were available.

DC Craig Ferguson then reviewed the evidence and conducted a fresh investigation which had access to better technology and forensic techniques, and new information had come to light. Key witnesses were identified and interviewed, along with family members and retired professionals.

The victim was also re-interviewed with the help of specially trained officer, PC Helen Winterson, who remained engaged with the case and supported the victim throughout the investigation and court proceedings. Based on the new findings, the Crown Prosecution Service decided that Hoskin should be charged with a number of serious sexual offences.

His honour Judge Peter Johnson sentenced Hoskin to eight years in prison for indecent assault and two years for gross indecency, to be served concurrently. He told Hoskin that he would serve half of his sentence in prison and the other half on licence but warned him that if he breached the terms of the licence, he would go back to prison.

He will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. In sentencing him, HHJ Johnson said: “(The victim) has lived with your actions since 1997 and I do find having heard her impact statement that these offences which you committed have had a profound effect on her, both at the time that you committed them and throughout her life to date.

“You are a conceited and self-entitled man.” The court heard from the victim in her impact statement which was read out to the court by DC Ferguson on behalf of Mr Sean Brunton (KC) the prosecuting barrister in the case.

The victim explained that she had lived her life in the shadow of what Hoskin had done to her. She explained that she felt that while her body had grown, her mind and mental state had been stuck on pause - forever remaining that scared little girl.

She described that she hated Hoskin for what he had done, explaining that she could never outrun the trauma of what he had put her through and that she had lived a life sentence herself. After sentencing, DC Ferguson said: “On behalf of the victim and her family, I welcome today’s outcome and Stephen Hoskin’s imprisonment.

“Hoskin was a grown man when he targeted the victim in this case, a girl under 16. She was an inexperienced child who was terrified of him. I wish to pay tribute to the victim, who has not only shown tremendous resilience and courage in finding the strength to reconnect with Devon and Cornwall Police, but also in providing further evidence and attending court.

“The strength that she has shown in coming to court to face her abuser cannot be overstated. I hope that today’s sentence helps her find some peace and enables her to start healing with her family.

“Devon & Cornwall Police takes all reports of sexual abuse seriously, regardless of how long ago it may have happened and will gather any evidence as required to take appropriate action in line with the victim’s wishes.

“Victims will be listened to sympathetically and will be guided through the criminal justice process with the support of our partner agencies, including the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). We are committed to improving outcomes and the journey for victims through what can often be a traumatic and difficult process, ensuring safeguarding and appropriate support.”