A predator is facing a "long prison sentence" after admitting to historic kidnapping and sexual assault offences in Harpenden. 

Alec Housden appeared at St Albans Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday, September 12), to face trial for the kidnap of a 12-year-old girl on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - however, the charge was then thrown out by the judge.

He was initially arrested at his home address in Kingsbury Gardens, Dunstable, on suspicion of two sexual assaults, two kidnaps of females and a further kidnap.

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He was charged with the offences and appeared at Hatfield Magistrates' Court on Thursday, March 23, where he was remanded into custody.

In June, the 60-year-old pleaded guilty to two sexual assaults and kidnaps.

This included the kidnap and indecent assault of a 16-year-old girl off Piggotshill Lane on August 7, 2002.

Housden also admitted to kidnapping and indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl at the same location on Wednesday, June 19, 2002.

The judge ruled that the prosecution could not tell a jury that Housden admitted the 2002 offences as part of the case for the 2004 offence.  As a result, the Crown offered no evidence and a not guilty verdict was entered.

                                                                                            

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Housden has been remanded into custody and will be sentenced on Monday, December 18.

The judge commented that "a long prison sentence" could be expected.

Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins said: "The investigation into the kidnaps and two serious sexual assaults was never closed and we have remained in contact with the victims.

“During a review of the investigation in June 2022, we re-visited all the evidence, including forensic evidence.

"In March 2023, Housden was arrested and a DNA match was confirmed for the 2002 offences.

“With such overwhelming evidence, we were able to get Housden before the courts and be accountable for his abhorrent actions.

“I hope this reassures the public that we never give up on a case, no matter how long ago it might have occurred.”