Man jailed for 18 years for committing multiple sexual offences

A man has been jailed for 18 years after he was found guilty of multiple sexual offences.

Dean Hearson, 55, of Brown Edge, Staffordshire, has been sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 5 December).

He 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 2024.

The allegations against Hearson were reported to us in 2018 and our Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team launched an investigation.

The offences took place in Staffordshire in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Hearson has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Constable Diane Sproston and Investigative Officer Janine Shropshire, of our Rape and Serious Sexual Offences 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.”