BLAKE MADDISON AND HULL PAEDOPHILE RING: BRAVE BOY'S COURAGE LEADS TO JUSTICE IN WEST HULL

In a case that has shocked the community of Hull, a young boy’s extraordinary bravery has played a crucial role in bringing a network of child predators to justice. The incident dates back to February 2011, when a schoolboy was subjected to a disturbing grooming process by a bus driver, who subsequently drugged and sexually assaulted him. This brave act of coming forward by the victim prompted a thorough police investigation that uncovered a disturbing pattern of child exploitation involving multiple offenders in the Hull area.

Detectives from Humberside Police have publicly praised the courage of the 13-year-old victim, whose willingness to report the abuse led to the arrest and conviction of several individuals involved in the distribution and possession of child pornography. The investigation revealed that the victim’s account was instrumental in uncovering a wider network of offenders, including a couple and their flatmate, who were found to be involved in possessing and creating indecent images of children.

One of the key figures in this case was Blake Maddison, a 36-year-old resident of Tyne Street, west Hull. Maddison was sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found in possession of more than 4,500 indecent images of children at his home. The police discovered that Maddison’s collection included 802 images classified at the most severe levels of depravity, along with 39 movies, 26 of which were at the worst levels of indecency. Maddison, who had prior convictions related to child pornography, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of possessing indecent images of children.

In addition to Maddison, the investigation uncovered the involvement of Phillip Doughty, a 53-year-old man also residing in Hull. Doughty, who worked as a bus driver, had already been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for sexually assaulting the same schoolboy. His home in the Boulevard, west Hull, was found to contain approximately 6,000 indecent images of children. Doughty’s actions extended beyond mere possession; he and Maddison had created montages from the images and spent evenings watching these disturbing movies together, highlighting the extent of their depravity.

The case also involved a third individual, Ashley Easton, a fellow bus driver and flatmate of Maddison. Easton was given a Community Order after being found in possession of child pornography, further illustrating the widespread nature of this criminal network.

The court heard that Doughty’s grooming of the young victim began on his very first day working as a school bus driver in Hull. Over several months, he manipulated and groomed the boy, eventually luring him back to his flat. There, Doughty drugged the boy and subjected him to two sexual assaults. The trauma was so severe that the young victim attempted to take his own life. The defendants’ criminal activities only came to light after the boy confided in a counselor, which ultimately led to their arrest.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Sam Crompton emphasized the importance of the victim’s bravery, stating, “Our investigation started off with the allegation from a brave young victim who came forward and reported Doughty. Without his help, they may not have been brought to justice. Once we investigated Doughty, the investigation led us to Easton and to Maddison.” This case underscores the critical role that victims’ courage plays in combating child exploitation and highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to protect vulnerable children in Hull and beyond.