CHRISTOPHER HALLORAN OF YORK SENTENCED FOR SYSTEMATIC CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Christopher Halloran, 67, formerly from Eastleigh and now residing in Sherburn near Selby, North Yorkshire, was sentenced to over 20 years in prison at York Crown Court for his 'systematic' sexual abuse of vulnerable victims, some as young as three and four. During the trial, prosecutor Paul Abrahams described how Halloran coerced some victims by giving them cigarettes and alcohol as part of his grooming process.

Halloran committed abuse across properties in Hampshire and North Yorkshire, with the abuse spanning approximately three decades from September 1986 to 2018. Mr Abrahams explained that Halloran enticed both girls and boys into 'games of dare,' during which he would expose himself and assault them.

The court heard that Halloran began abusing a girl in Hampshire when he was in his mid-30s. On another occasion, he took a victim in his car and attacked her in the woods, while another assault occurred at a bird hide in North Yorkshire. 'He clearly groomed (the victim), buying her cigarettes and alcohol,' said Mr Abrahams, adding, 'This made (the girl) feel confused and trapped.' The girl described feeling 'sick and dirty' after the abuse.

One boy was subjected to multiple incidents of abuse, feeling 'trapped' by Halloran’s 'sick little games,' as he said. Halloran, who has three children, was arrested in 2018 and admitted to 26 charges, including two counts of rape, indecency with a child, sexual assault of children under 13, and assault by penetration. Eight additional charges were left on file.

When Halloran was sentenced, some of the victims, who are legally anonymized, were present in the public gallery. All described ongoing suffering; some had lost jobs or taken time off due to mental health struggles, while others saw their marriages collapse. The victims reported enduring severe mental health issues such as depression, eating disorders, self-harm, nervous breakdowns, panic attacks, nightmares, and flashbacks.

Defense lawyer Abbie Whelan noted that an expert’s report concluded Halloran was a danger to children, and he 'will almost inevitably die in prison.' Judge Andrew Stubbs QC addressed Halloran directly, stating, 'You are dangerous (to children) and you will be sentenced as such.'

Halloran received a sentence of 19 years in prison. If released at some point, he will serve an extended eight-year license period. He is also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and is subject to a lifelong sexual-harm prevention order.