Samantha Hesler

A female social worker and foster carer, Samantha Hesler, has been found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy she groomed over several years more than two decades ago. The conviction came following a four-day trial at Teesside Crown Court, where Hesler was charged with two counts of sexual assault on the boy when he was aged around 13-14 in the late 1990s.

The victim, now 50 years old and protected by legal anonymity, provided harrowing testimony about the three-year affair that began after he befriended the then-married social worker. He described how Hesler would buy him cigarettes, alcohol, and as many PlayStation games as he wanted, creating a situation where he felt no reason to leave the abusive dynamic. 'I believe I was groomed over a number of years, she didn’t give me any reason to leave. She used to buy cigarettes, alcohol and as many Playstation games as I could want. There was absolutely no reason for me to leave,' the victim told the jury.

The sexual behaviour escalated over time, continuing until they engaged in full penetrative sexual intercourse while he was still a teenager. Hesler, residing at The Dorkins in Great Broughton near Stokesley, denied any sexual relationship, claiming the boy never slept in her bed or that she touched his genitals over his clothing or placed a condom on him. Despite her denials, the jury deliberated for around an hour before returning guilty verdicts on both counts.

The case only came to light recently when the victim broke down emotionally upon learning his wife wanted to become a social worker, prompting him to disclose the abuse from his teenage years. Hesler was released on bail pending a pre-sentence report, with sentencing scheduled for December. Judge Paul Watson QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, warned her during the proceedings: 'Don’t take you being released on bail as an indication of likely sentence. These are very serious offences and a custodial sentence is likely.'

This conviction highlights the long-term impact of grooming and sexual exploitation by those in positions of trust, such as social workers. The trial was reported by Graeme Hetherington, Crime & Court Reporter for The Northern Echo, based on court proceedings at Middlesbrough.