Derek Feast, aged 81, is in prison after being convicted of multiple indecent assaults against four teenage boys. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison at St Albans Crown Court on 22 April 2026, for offences that took place in Hertfordshire and Norfolk over a period spanning from 1974 to 1991.

Who Is Derek Feast?

Derek Feast is an 81-year-old man convicted in 2026 of historic sexual offences committed decades earlier. His case is one of a substantial number of historic abuse prosecutions that have been brought before English courts in recent years, as advances in investigative techniques and changes in the willingness of victims to come forward have enabled prosecutions of offences that occurred long ago.

Feast was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on 22 April 2026, having been found guilty of indecent assault offences following a jury trial. The convictions covered offending against four separate victims, all of whom were teenage boys at the time the abuse occurred.

What Were Derek Feast’s Offences?

Derek Feast was convicted of multiple counts of indecent assault. The offences were committed against four victims — all teenage boys at the time — in Hertfordshire and Norfolk. The abuse took place across a period running from 1974 to 1991, meaning it spanned 17 years. The victims were of different ages at the time of the offending, and Feast targeted more than one boy over the course of the period in question.

At the time the offences were committed, the relevant legislation was the Sexual Offences Act 1956. Indecent assault carried significant penalties, but prosecutions were less common in that era due to the stigma attached to reporting such offences and the difficulties victims faced in being believed. The offences are now prosecuted under current legislation when brought to court, and courts apply modern sentencing guidelines even for historic offences.

The Investigation and Prosecution

The investigation into Derek Feast was conducted by Hertfordshire Constabulary. The case illustrates how historic sexual abuse investigations are pursued: victims, sometimes decades after the events, approach police and provide accounts of what happened to them as children. Investigators gather corroborating evidence, identify other potential victims, and build a case for prosecution in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Historic cases of this kind present particular evidential challenges. Physical evidence from events occurring 30 to 50 years ago is rarely available. Prosecutors rely heavily on victim testimony, supported wherever possible by evidence from other witnesses, records from the relevant time period, and, where applicable, evidence that the defendant had a particular connection to the victims or the locations where offending occurred.

In Feast’s case, the prosecution was able to bring the evidence of four separate victims before the jury, which provided mutually corroborating accounts of similar conduct carried out by the same individual over an extended period. The jury convicted him on the charges presented.

Derek Feast’s Sentence

Derek Feast was sentenced to 12 years in prison at St Albans Crown Court on 22 April 2026. Given his age of 81 at the time of sentencing, this represents a substantial portion of his remaining life expectancy. Courts are required to impose sentences proportionate to the gravity of the offending regardless of the age or health of the defendant, and the serious nature of Feast’s offences — involving multiple victims over an extended period — warranted a significant custodial term.

Feast will be held in a prison in the England and Wales estate. The Prison Service has experience managing elderly and infirm prisoners, and prisons have healthcare and residential facilities designed to accommodate those with age-related needs. Feast will be eligible to apply for parole after serving a portion of his sentence, and the Parole Board will assess his risk to the public in determining whether early release is appropriate.

As a convicted sex offender, Feast will also be subject to notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for a period determined by the length of his sentence.

Historic Sexual Abuse Cases in the UK

The prosecution of historic sexual abuse cases has become a significant feature of the criminal justice landscape in England and Wales over the past two decades. High-profile investigations into figures such as Jimmy Savile — though he died before prosecution — and subsequent trials of others have encouraged many survivors to come forward with their own accounts.

The Crown Prosecution Service and police forces across the country continue to pursue these cases, recognising that the passage of time does not diminish the gravity of the original offending or the harm experienced by victims. Sentencing in historic cases follows the same guidelines as for contemporary offences, reflecting the principle that the severity of the crime rather than its timing determines the appropriate penalty.

If a family member is serving a custodial sentence in England, you can find information about how to book a prison visit or how to send money to a prisoner through our practical guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Derek Feast in prison?

Derek Feast is in prison because he was found guilty of multiple indecent assaults against four teenage boys in Hertfordshire and Norfolk. The offences took place between 1974 and 1991. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison at St Albans Crown Court on 22 April 2026.

How many victims did Derek Feast have?

Derek Feast was convicted of offences against four victims. All were teenage boys at the time the abuse took place. The offences occurred over a period spanning from 1974 to 1991 in Hertfordshire and Norfolk.

How long is Derek Feast in prison for?

Derek Feast was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He is 81 years old. He will be eligible to apply for parole after serving a portion of his sentence, subject to assessment of his risk to the public by the Parole Board.

Where is Derek Feast being held?

The specific prison where Derek Feast is being held has not been publicly confirmed. Given his age and conviction for sexual offences, he will be held in a suitable establishment within the England and Wales prison estate that can accommodate elderly prisoners and those convicted of sexual offences.

Can victims of historic abuse still report offences to the police?

Yes. There is no time limit on reporting sexual offences in England and Wales. Victims of historic sexual abuse can report offences to the police at any time, regardless of how long ago the events occurred. Police forces have specialist teams trained to investigate historic allegations, and the Crown Prosecution Service regularly brings prosecutions for offences committed decades in the past.