Man found guilty of 19 sexual offences

Dean Hearson was found guilty after a trial which concluded on Wednesday

People who came forward to tell police about sexual abuse have been praised after a man was convicted of 19 sexual offences.

Dean Hearson, 55, of Brown Edge, Staffordshire, was found guilty at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Wednesday of 15 counts of indecent assault on a male and four counts of indecency with a child.

Staffordshire Police said the offences took place in Staffordshire in the 1990s and early 2000s and were reported to them in 2018.

“We would like to express our gratitude for the bravery of the victims who came forward and gave evidence, including during the trial. We don’t underestimate how difficult this was," Det Con Diane Sproston said.

“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.”

Hearson will be sentenced at a future date.