ADAM HULIN FROM HEADEDLEY ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN BOOKHAM

In April 2014, a disturbing case involving a young man from Headley, named Adam Hulin, drew significant public attention and outrage. Hulin, aged 19 at the time, was involved in a serious criminal incident that took place in Bookham, where he sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl. The incident, which occurred in December 2012, involved oral rape and sexual assault by penetration, acts that have left a lasting impact on the victim and her family.

Hulin, who resided at Hookwood Cottages on Hurst Lane in Headley, pleaded guilty to the charges of oral rape and assault by penetration during his trial at Guildford Crown Court. Despite the gravity of his admissions, the court opted to impose a community order rather than a custodial sentence. The sentence included a 12-month community order, 100 hours of unpaid work, and six sessions focused on addressing his attitude towards sexual encounters. Additionally, Hulin was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60.

The decision to avoid jail time surprised many observers and was justified by Recorder George Lawson-Rogers QC, who stated, “I certainly wouldn’t want to do anything which would prejudice his future career.” This rationale sparked widespread criticism, with some members of the public describing the sentence as “disgusting” and others claiming that the judge was “out of touch” with the severity of the crime.

Following the sentencing, Hulin publicly responded to his critics through comments posted on the same website, where he reiterated his claim that the victim had lied about her age and had consented to the acts. He further alleged that the girl is now pregnant with an older boy, a statement that the victim’s mother vehemently denied. Hulin insisted that there was no rape in his eyes at the time, claiming, “me being a young, immature boy believed this to be full lawful activity.” He also asserted that he was misled about the girl’s age, claiming she told him she was 16 and that her cousin confirmed her age when asked.

Hulin’s comments further claimed that the girl fully consented to the acts and that he believed he was engaging in lawful activity. He expressed remorse, stating, “I wish this never happened, it should never have happened,” but also accused the girl of bragging about her experience to friends, which led to her mother discovering the situation and subsequently “crying wolf.”

The victim’s mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, expressed her outrage at Hulin’s statements. She described herself as “absolutely appalled” and stated that her daughter’s life has been profoundly affected by the incident. She emphasized that her daughter’s innocence was taken from her and that the ongoing justification by Hulin has compounded her distress. The mother recounted that her daughter was first contacted by Hulin via Facebook, after which she went out with him alone for a drive in his car. She revealed that Hulin had given her daughter a soft drink mixed with vodka, knowing her age was only 12.

She strongly denied Hulin’s claims that her daughter was pregnant, asserting, “I am appalled that he was able to slander my daughter in this way.” The mother also criticized the court’s decision, stating, “The outcome was absolutely ridiculous. We only found out about the sentence from Facebook. We will be taking it all up with the police.” She expressed her belief that Hulin received a “slap on the wrist” and criticized the judge’s apparent attitude of “boys will be boys,” which she felt minimized the seriousness of the crime. She further stated her loss of faith in the justice system, emphasizing the trauma her daughter endured, including nine hours of forensic examinations and emotional distress that led her to move schools.

Hulin’s legal case included a trial for a charge of rape by penetration, which was ultimately not prosecuted. The jury was dismissed after inadmissible evidence was read during the trial, and a subsequent ‘Newton hearing’ was held where the judge decided that the charge would remain on file but not be pursued further. The mother expressed her frustration, stating that her daughter’s innocence was taken and that her life has been significantly disrupted. She emphasized that her daughter has not been able to move on and remains deeply affected by the incident.

Overall, the case has sparked widespread debate about the justice system’s handling of juvenile sexual offenses, with many feeling that the punishment was insufficient given the circumstances. Hulin, who was preparing to sit his A-level exams and was a talented middle-distance runner with the Aldershot, Farnham and District club team, was 18 at the time of the offenses. His defense argued that he believed the girl was 16, and the judge acknowledged his future prospects, opting for a sentence that avoided imprisonment. Hulin appeared in court dressed formally, and during the sentencing, he looked relieved, a stark contrast to the serious nature of the charges against him.