In 2018, the Offender Database confirmed that Norman Ball, 62, of North Street, Caerwys, Flintshire, was sentenced to 51 weeks in prison at Mold Crown Court. Ball used social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Snapchat, to groom a teenage girl, inciting her to send naked photographs for his own gratification. The court heard that Ball targeted the victim when she was just 13 years old, exploiting her vulnerability during a period when he claimed to be feeling isolated following the death of his wife.
The investigation revealed that Ball’s predatory behaviour extended beyond digital grooming to physical contact. On two separate occasions, he sexually assaulted the girl in public shops; once by stroking her clothing in a local store and again in a chemist’s in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, where he manipulated her into touching his breast while she reached into his pocket. Prosecutor Matthew Coutts noted that Ball had also taken photographs of his own genitalia. Despite his claims of being “disgusted” by his actions, the impact on the victim was severe, leading to long-term anxiety and the need for professional counselling.
Ball pleaded guilty to inciting a child to commit a sexual act and two counts of sexual assault. Judge Rhys Rowlands dismissed the defence’s arguments regarding Ball’s ill health and previous “blameless life,” stating that his behaviour was wholly inappropriate and had caused profound harm. He was sentenced to 51 weeks in prison, a term intended to reflect the gravity of his breach of trust and the persistent nature of the grooming.
As a result of his convictions, Ball was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for the same duration, which legally restricts his use of the internet and prohibits any unsupervised contact with minors. Official monitoring is conducted by North Wales Police, ensuring that his residency and digital activities are strictly supervised to prevent further risk to children in the Flintshire and Denbighshire areas.
UPDATE
Norman Ball has been seen in Wigan and may be living there.
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