He was never sentenced after fleeing the country when he was found guilty of offences involving two young girls earlier this year
A convicted sex offender who “fled to Benidorm” and never returned to court to be sentenced – dodging the inevitable prison sentence that he faced – has died while living in the Spanish sunshine resort. Kenneth Hinds, 76, had been allowed to remain on bail after being found guilty by a jury at Hull Crown Court in February this year of nine offences of indecent assault, involving two young girls.
He was warned on the day of the guilty verdicts that he would, when he was sentenced, receive a lengthy prison sentence. But he did not turn up for the later hearing and a warrant without bail was issued for his arrest. The police believed from their investigations that Hinds had gone to Spain and efforts were made to get this officially confirmed. A series of later hearings took place where the court was told that Hinds had “fled to Spain” but no official confirmation was received.
At the latest hearing, however, there was at last confirmation that Hinds had died. Judge Mark Bury said that an email from the British Consulate in Madrid had confirmed that Hinds was found dead in Benidorm on September 14.
“This was a man who was convicted after a trial and fled to Benidorm and was never sentenced,” said Judge Bury. Defence barrister Matthew Moore-Taylor, who represented Hinds at the trial, confirmed that the details provided for Hinds were correct.
Prosecutor Dale Brook said that the Crown Prosecution Service had a liaison officer based in Spain, who had been able to help with inquiries. It was thought that Hinds died of natural causes and that he had been suffering from a serious condition.
Hinds, of Ashfield Avenue, Malton, North Yorkshire, denied indecently assaulting two girls under 16 at Pocklington between but he was convicted by a jury after a trial that ended on February 13. The case was officially closed. “That’s the end of these proceedings,” said Judge Bury.