Exclusive:Gerald Hedges: Rapist and paedophile who abused two young girls has died in prison, ombudsman confirms
Gerald Hedges was jailed for multiple sexual offences in 2019 - and has now died in prison.
A manipulative rapist and paedophile, who spent years unleashing a torrent of abuse on women and girls, has died in prison.
Gerald Hedges, 68 and previously of Southwood Road, Hayling Island, was jailed in 2019 after a jury unanimously found him guilty of sexually abusing two young girls and raping two women over a period of 15 years.
Hedges’ abhorrent crimes flew under the radar for years, until an undercover police officer caught him trying to coerce a young girl into sex in 2017.
A naturist who called himself ‘Big G’, was jailed at Portsmouth Crown Court for 26 years by Judge Timothy Mousley. Now, according to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, Hedges died at HMP Isle of Wight on Tuesday, July 14. An investigation into his death is underway.
During his trial seven years ago - for which Hedges was absent due to medical issues - the court was told of how the predator used an internet chat room called ‘Disabled Chat UK’ to try and lure a child into having sex with him, promising them ‘full points’ if they did.
His sexual depravity dated back 30 years prior to the case, when he “forced himself” on another woman by pinning her against a tree. In total, he was convicted of 13 offences: seven counts of indecent assault, five counts of rape, and a further child sex offence.
Sentencing him, Judge Mousley said: “I dare say they [Hedges’ victims] will probably never fully recover or reach a stage when they feel safe. One can only hope now we have come to the stage where you are going to be sentenced there will be some degree of closure.”
After Hedges was sent down, police constable Deborah Symes said: “Hedges is a dangerous man capable of online child abuse, as well as contact sex offences involving both adults and children. The contact offences may never have come to light if it wasn’t for the initial police investigation into his online activity.
“It was this activity which led to us identifying and reaching out to the complainants in this case, and I truly believe they would never have disclosed what had happened to them if this hadn’t have happened.
“They had lived with this and bottled it up for nearly 20 years while Hedges walked free. Now, after all this time, they will get the justice they deserve.”