Tunbridge Wells riding instructor jailed for child sex offences

A horse-riding instructor has been jailed and made the subject of a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order for offences against children.

Mitchell Hickey sexually abused two young victims, hitting one with a whip, and coerced a third into sending explicit photos.

Hickey, who carried out a string of targeted assaults between 2017 and 2019, also bombarded the girls with indecent videos via Snapchat, a platform known for automatically deleting messages once read.

Officers were alerted to the offending in January 2022 when an ex-member of the riding school, based in the Tunbridge Wells area, became concerned for other vulnerable girls under Hickey’s care.  

The riding instructor was arrested and, following a thorough investigation which included a review of his devices, he was charged with nine sex offences including sexual assault, sexual activity with a child, and sexual communication with a child.

The 25 year old initially denied the charges, but later pleaded guilty to seven offences at Maidstone Crown Court.

Sentenced

Hickey was sentenced to three years and four months’ imprisonment at the same court on Monday 22 September.

Investigating officer, DC Amy Mulrey, said:

‘Hickey abused his position of power to take advantage of young and vulnerable girls for his own gratification. ‘It is a rare instance in which an offender is made the subject of a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which shows the seriousness of Hickey’s offending. ‘He acted with little thought to the impact of his actions on the mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing of his victims. ‘We are grateful for the support of the victims and their families, and hope that the custodial sentence offers some comfort.’