Darren Hornsby, a predator from Clacton, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexual offences against minors. Darren Hornsby, 36, was incarcerated following the discovery of several obscene photos of minors on his devices. An inquiry into Hornsby, located on Spring Road in Clacton, commenced in 2019 following intelligence indicating online activity related to obscene photographs at his residence.
In February 2019, a raid resulted in the discovery of several obscene photos on various devices. There were 250 category C photographs, four videos, 172 category B images, and 41 videos. Officers discovered 68 photos classified at the highest level and 26 videos as well. Essex Police uncovered a film depicting the sexual abuse of a boy youngster aged between 5 and 7 years, with only the abuser’s hands visible. The alleged abuser was believed to be Darren Hornsby.
Darren Hornsby was indicted in April 2021 on six counts of producing indecent photos of minors, one count of possessing indecent images of a kid, and one act of sexual assault involving penetration of a male under the age of 13. He acknowledged the charges of producing indecent photos but refuted the allegations of capturing an indecent image and committing sexual assault. Dame Professor Black, a forensic hand expert, provided testimony in court that resulted in the jury convicting Darren Hornsby in November 2024 after less than an hour.
near June 2023, Suffolk Constabulary received a report regarding sexual assaults on two adolescent males at a location near Trimley St Martin. Investigations revealed that Darren Hornsby had formed friendships with the youngsters several months prior and had extended an invitation to them at the location in Trimley. Darren Hornsby first refuted these allegations but then entered a guilty plea to two counts of sexual assault on a male and two counts of enticing a boy aged 13 to 15 to participate in sexual activity without consent on the second day of the trial.
The predator was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment for the offences in Essex and six years’ imprisonment for the offences in Suffolk. These are to be served consecutively, bringing his total jail term to 15-years, as well as four years on extended licence.
DC Laura Frelford of Suffolk Police said: “Darren Hornsby demonstrated predatory behaviour. He purposefully befriended the young boys, using alcohol with the intention to manipulate and sexually abuse them when they were vulnerable. I would like to commend their bravery in reporting Darren Hornsby. They have shown great courage in supporting the investigation and I hope the result will bring some measure of closure, knowing that this conviction has broken Hornsby’s cycle of offending.”
Detective Emma Edwards of Essex Police added: “To this day the child has not been identified and Hornsby has never told anyone the identity of this child. The judge made a point of this in the sentencing as this child may never be afforded the support that they rightly deserve. Dame Professor Black’s work to identify Darren Hornsby in the video was crucial in making sure their abuser was brought to justice, and I’d like to thank her for her vital work.”
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