A MAN has been jailed for 12 years for a number of child sexual offences following a long and detailed Essex Police investigation.
We started our enquiries in October 2020 after receiving allegations of sexual assault involving two young girls.
One of the girls had confided in a friend. The friend’s dad then contacted social services to report their concerns.
Jay Hexter, of Edward Close, Chafford Hundred, was arrested and interviewed. He answered no comment throughout his initial interview and was released while enquiries continued.
During subsequent interviews he denied the allegations against him.
He was charged with 15 offences and his trial was heard at Basildon Crown Court. On Wednesday 16 April, following an eight-day trial, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts in relation to:
Three counts of sexual assault of a child
Three counts of sexual activity with a child
Assault of a child under 13, by penetration
Causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
He was acquitted in relation to the other seven offences.
On Friday 2 May at the same court the 38-year-old was sentenced by Judge Graham for terms ranging from six months to 12 years, all to run concurrently.
He will be subject to a restraining order and will be on the sex offenders register for life.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Emily Hulme said: “I want to pay tribute to the survivors in this case.
“They reported the abuse and then were incredibly patient throughout this painstaking investigation.
“I hope this sentence gives them some closure as they rebuild their lives.
“Hexter’s abuse was horrific and he has rightly received a lengthy prison sentence.
“We have an unwavering commitment to tackling violence against women and girls and will thoroughly investigate all allegations reported to us.”
Synergy Essex
Synergy Essex offers independent and specialised services for individuals who have experienced rape or sexual abuse in Essex.
Synergy Essex is a partnership of three services; Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse (CARA), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service, and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis).
The services provided by Synergy Essex are independent of the police. This ensures individuals can seek help whether they choose to report the incident or not. This could be in relation to something that happened recently or in the past.
Survivors and victims can access support by reaching out on their own or through a referral from someone they trust. This could be a family member, friend, or professional.
At Synergy Essex, people of all ages can benefit from specialised emotional support. This includes counselling and advocacy.
For those pursuing legal action, they offer the help of an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA). The advisers can guide and support them through the criminal justice process.
To learn more about the services available, please visit the Synergy Essex website.
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