'Dangerous, high-risk' Northampton paedophile jailed after victims come forward in adulthood

A 'high risk' serial Northampton sex offender has been locked up for six years minimum for a string of assaults on children.

Derek Edwards, of Forfar Street, was arrested in 2020 after several of his victims came forward about the abuse they suffered 20 years before.

But Northampton Crown Court heard yesterday (January 11) how this is now the third time 59-year-old Edwards has been convicted for sexual offences.

"You are a high-risk sexual offender," said Her Honour Judge Rebecca Crane.

"Part of this sentencing today is I have to assess if you are at risk of committing further offences and are dangerous to the public.

"And the answer and conclusion to that is 'yes'.

"I have heard the personal impact statements of your victims. They have described feeling 'disgusting, ashamed, and lacking confidence' in their adult lives. They struggle to socialize and feel anxious."

Judge Crane ruled that Edwards was 'dangerous' to the public and handed him an extended sentence before jailing him for six years and eight months.

It means if he is released at the end of his prison term, he will be monitored by police for another seven years.

He was also handed a lifetime sexual harm prevention order.