Leeds schizophrenic sexually abused eight-year-old girl, but was too ill to stand trial
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Christopher Hick was charged with two counts of sexual activity with a child dating back to 2017, but experts said he was not fit to stand trial. In response, a trial of fact was held at Leeds Crown Court in his absence.
It was heard that the 43-year-old, on two occasions, targeted the youngster. She confessed to her grandmother in 2021 what Hick had done. A jury was "satisfied he did the acts", the court heard.
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Hide AdThe 43-year-old, of Royds Court, Rothwell, has since been held in a secure unit. Psychiatrist Dr Aishah Beaumont gave evidence during Hick's sentencing hearing this week where she said he was "a serious risk to the public".
She added: "If at large he would seek to have no involvement with mental health services and reject any support. His engagement is extremely poor at present."
![Hick was found to have abused the girl by a jury, despite him being unfit to stand trial. (library pic by Adobe)](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/07/13/43/Hick.jpg?trim=0,6,0,5&width=640&quality=65)
![Hick was found to have abused the girl by a jury, despite him being unfit to stand trial. (library pic by Adobe)](/img/placeholder.png)
But Judge Simon Batiste admitted his options were "curtailed" as a result, and would follow the recommendation of Hick's healthcare professionals and impose a hospital order. He said: "Doctors are in agreement that that he is suffering from a psychological disorder, mostly likely paranoid schizophrenia."
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