In 2019, the Offender Database reported that John Hale, then 70, formerly of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was released early from prison and placed into a probation hostel in Sheffield. This release follows his most recent conviction in March 2024 at Sheffield Crown Court for the grooming and sexual abuse of a nine-year-old girl.
The court heard that John Hale befriended the victim in 2006 before subjecting her to grooming, inciting her into sexual activity, and non-penetrative sexual touching. Despite the predatory nature of the offences against a young child, he was handed a sentence of only 18 months. Under standard UK sentencing guidelines, offenders often serve only half of their custodial term behind bars before being released on licence.
John Hale is a serial offender with a documented history of targeting vulnerable children. In 2016, he was sentenced to three years and two months after pleading guilty to inciting a seven-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. He was also released early from that sentence, a pattern that has caused significant concern regarding public safety and the monitoring of repeat predators.
The court proceedings further revealed that John Hale had been acquitted of similar allegations on two previous occasions, highlighting a long-standing history of being the subject of child abuse investigations. Now residing in a Sheffield probation hostel, John Hale is subject to lifelong notification requirements on the sex offenders register and strict licence conditions managed by the National Probation Service.
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