Former darts world champion Ted Hankey was jailed after admitting sexual assault.
Hankey, 54, sexually assaulted a woman at an address in Cheshire in September 2021. Unbeknown to him, the incident was caught on camera.
The victim reported the offence to police on September 16, 2021 and Hankey was arrested that day. After initially denying the assault and answering ‘no comment’ after being shown the video footage during questioning, he pleaded guilty at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Thursday, April 14.
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Hankey, of Wendover Grove, Berry Hill, Stoke-on-Trent, was jailed for two years at Chester Crown Court on Thursday. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for ten years and given an indefinite restraining order to prevent Hankey from contacting his victim.
Following the sentencing Detective Constable Laura Bradshaw from Cheshire Police said: “Firstly I would like to commend the victim for the courage and bravery that see (sic) has shown throughout the investigation. The evidence she provided proved vital in Hankey’s prosecution and left him with no option but to plead guilty to the charge against him.
"While the victim will never be able to forget what Hankey subjected her to, I do hope that the conclusion of this case provides some closure and enables her to move forward with her life. I also hope that this case encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us.
“ Cheshire Constabulary treats all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously, and any reports will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.
“Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity.”
Brian Forshaw, district crown prosecutor, added: "The CPS would like to thank the victim for her help and courage in bringing this prosecution and we have worked to support her. The evidence she secured of the assault was crucial to this case and no doubt led to Mr Hankey’s guilty plea.
"Mr Hankey is now a convicted sex offender and this case may have prevented further offending. It can be hard to tell the authorities about abuse, but we would like to say to victims that we will help and support you to give your best evidence and bring your abuser to justice.”
If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, or know of someone who has, please call police on 101 or visit the police website. Information can also be reported anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
