Alec Housden jailed for Harpenden kidnap and sexual assaults

The 60-year-old appeared at St Albans Crown Court today (Tuesday, December 19), where he was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment with a two-year extended licence.

Following events which took place more than 20 years ago, in which two teenage girls were kidnapped and sexually assaulted, Housden was arrested by police on March 22, 2023.

Following a DNA match, he was charged with the kidnap and indecent assault of a female on Sunday April 7, 2002 and the kidnap and indecent assault of a female on Wednesday June, 19 2002, both in Piggottshill Lane, Harpenden.

The 16-year-old victim in the April 7 incident was walking along Piggotshill Lane when a man grabbed her, dragged her into a nearby wood and sexually assaulted her before forcing her to perform sexual acts.

An e-fit released by Hertfordshire police, following the assaults. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

Two months later on June 19, a 17-year-old girl was walking along Wheathampstead Road, when a man forced her into a car, drove down Piggotshill Lane and took her to the wood where he sexually assaulted her and forced her to perform sexual acts.

Housden initially pleaded not guilty to these offences, before changing his plea to guilty a month later, in May 2023.

Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins said: "We knew the same man was responsible for both these sexual assaults through DNA evidence but we needed to find him, and frustratingly he was not on the national database.

"As part of the police investigation, we found evidence linking Housden to the sexual assaults.

“These women, who are now aged in their 30s, went through an unimaginable experience which has blighted their lives and they have never had closure on their horrific ordeal, so we were determined, despite the time that had passed, to find the man responsible.

“I’m sure Housden thought he’d got away with it.

Alec Housden, 60, who has now been jailed for kidnap and indecent assault. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

"These two brave women are pleased that he has finally been sentenced for his crimes.”

Housden was also charged with a third kidnap of a 12-year-girl in 2004, which he denied, and no further action was taken.

DI Jenkins continued: “Legally, offences can only be sentenced under the guidelines that were in force at the time. If he was being sentenced today – over 20 years later – he would have been charged with different offences and would therefore have received a lengthier sentence.

“We regularly review cold cases, particularly serious sexual offences and murders, so if people have offended years ago, you never know when there may be a knock on the door.”

The women that Housden attacked both read statements in court about the effects of their ‘terrifying’ ordeals in 2002.

The first, Miss D, said: “Your actions, Mr Housden, left a lasting scar, a dark matter, a tumour in the deepest recesses of my mind, that no matter how much I tried to move on, it remains and always will.”

The second, Miss B, said: “I never want to be described as a victim, I never want that moment in my life to define me, even though it does.

"I have lived with what happened to me in 2002 for over 20 years and I have pulled myself up from the darkest rock bottom.”

Judge Francis Sheridan described the attacks on the two girls as ‘terrifying’ and said Housden’s behaviour “can only be described as monstrous.”

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He told him “DNA will follow you” and said the police investigating team ‘were a credit to the Chief Constable”.

Crimes can be reported online at www.herts.police.uk/ro/report by calling the police's non-emergency number 101.

Hertfordshire police's web chat function can be used by visiting herts.police.uk/contact.

Anonymous information can be given by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.