FORMER world darts champion Ted Hankey has been jailed for two years for a sex attack on a woman in Crewe.

Hankey, 54, of Wendover Grove, Berry Hill, Stoke-on-Trent had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault and appeared at Chester Crown Court today (Thursday) for sentencing.

He was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for ten years.

During the hearing the court was told how Hankey had sexually assaulted a woman in September last year, but unbeknown to him the incident was caught on camera. 

The victim reported the incident to police on September 16 and Hankey was arrested the same day. 

When questioned by police he denied committing the offence and answered "no comment" after he was shown the video footage.

But he pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of the female when he appeared at Warrington Magistrates' Court on April 14 this year.

Hankey - who won the BDO World Darts Championship in 2000 and 2009 - revelled in his nickname of "The Count" in his heyday, dressing up as a vampire for tournaments.

Hankey was sentenced at Chester Crown Court.

Following the sentencing DC Laura Bradshaw, of the Cheshire Police Public Protection Directorate, who led the investigation said: "I would like to commend the victim for the courage and bravery that see has shown throughout the investigation.

"The evidence she provided proved vital in Hankey's prosecution and left him with no option but to plead guilty to the charge against him. 

"While the victim will never be able to forget what Hankey subjected her to, I do hope that the conclusion of this case provides some closure and enables her to move forward with her life.

"I also hope that this case encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us.

"Cheshire Constabulary treats all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously, and any reports will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.

"Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity."

If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, or know of someone who has, please call us on 101 or visit https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/how-to-report-rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/.

Information can also be reported anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.