FORMER world champion darts player Ted Hankey has been jailed for two years after sexually assaulting a teenager.

The 54-year-old was locked up at Chester Crown Court today, Thursday, having admitted sexual assault during an earlier hearing at Warrington Magistrates Court.

He assaulted his victim during an incident in Crewe in September last year which, unbeknown to him, was caught on camera.

Hankey – of Stoke-on-Trent – initially denied committing the offence under interview following his arrest but subsequently gave no comment after being shown the video footage, which showed him pinning the teen down 'with an air of entitlement' before attacking her.

Sentencing, judge Steven Everett stated that the defendant would have 'denied it to the bitter end' had it not been for this damning evidence'.

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Nicknamed the Count, he was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

The Recorder of Chester added: "You genuinely believed nobody would believe her, until you were shown the damning evidence.

"The nature of what you did, the fact that you pinned her down, that air of entitlement... You treated her as an object for your own disgusting and deviant sexual desires.

"Your self-pity about the loss of status and ability to earn money - I'm sure you will never play darts again on television."

Hankey first qualified for the BDO World Championship in 1998 and went on to win the title in 2000 and 2009.

His wife is now divorcing him and his children do not want any contact either, the court heard.

Following the sentencing, detective constable Laura Bradshaw of Cheshire Police’s public protection directorate – who led the investigation – said: “Firstly, 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 Police 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.”