In 2025, the Offender Database reported that John Hopper, the Scunthorpe Paedophile Sex Offender, 33, was sentenced to six years in prison after confessing to engaging in sexual conduct with a teenage girl who had sought shelter at his residence.
John Hopper, previously residing on Bolsover Road, was discovered to possess obscene photos of the victim on his mobile device.
At Grimsby Crown Court, John Hopper admitted guilt to three charges of engaging in sexual behaviour with a minor under the age of 16.
Prosecutor Maya Hanson elucidated that the girl’s family reported her missing following a dispute with her mother, after which she departed from home.
A friend proposed that she may seek refuge with John Hopper.
The court was informed that John Hopper first provided her with his bed while he occupied the sofa.
Subsequently, he joined her in bed, becoming the initial of three occurrences of sexual behaviour involving the girl.
Two weeks later, the girl returned to John Hopper’s residence, and additional sexual activity transpired, despite his full awareness of her age. Her relatives once more notified the police of her disappearance.
She was later found and, during an interview, revealed the abuse.
John Hopper was promptly apprehended, and his phone was confiscated, revealing that Miss Hanson had verified the presence of inappropriate photographs of the girl.
The brave victim provided a powerful statement in court, highlighting her initial fear in reporting the offences to the police but expressing profound relief once she had done so.
Addressing Judge Gurdial Singh, she stated, “I was vulnerable at the time, and he took advantage of me. It has massively knocked my confidence.”
Hopper was handed a six-year prison sentence and was placed on the Sex Offender Register for life.
The judge ruled that he will serve two-thirds of his sentence in prison before being considered for release.
Addressing the victim directly, Judge Singh (one of the few good ones) offered reassurance: “You are not to blame for any of this. He took advantage of you.”
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