DEAN FOXHALL FROM BEVERLEY CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ABUSE INVOLVING TEENAGE BOY IN HULL

In May 2019, a significant case unfolded at Hull Crown Court involving Dean Foxhall, a man residing in Beverley, who faced serious allegations of grooming and sexually abusing a teenage boy nearly 15 years prior. The proceedings culminated in a jury verdict that found Foxhall guilty of two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a minor, despite his persistent denial of any wrongdoing.

The trial, which lasted five days, saw a jury composed of eight women and four men deliberate for over six hours before reaching their majority decision. The court was informed that Foxhall, aged 37 at the time of the trial, had a prior conviction for possessing indecent photographs of children of various ages. This previous conviction resulted in a jail sentence in May 2011, which was later reduced to a three-year community order upon appeal by the Court of Appeal.

Foxhall, whose address is listed as Samman Road, Beverley, was remanded into custody immediately following the verdict. His sentencing has been scheduled for June 28 at Hull Crown Court, where a pre-sentence report will be prepared to guide the judge’s decision. Throughout the delivery of the verdicts, Foxhall showed no visible emotion. Judge Paul Watson QC, the Honorary Recorder of Hull and East Riding, addressed him directly, stating, "Dean Foxhall, stand up please. You have been convicted by the jury of two offences of sexual activity with a young boy. A custodial sentence is inevitable, but I am prepared to adjourn this case for a pre-sentence report, and I will deal with you, as I have indicated, on the afternoon of June 28."

During the trial, the victim recounted how Foxhall had groomed him, beginning with sending inappropriate images via text message during a visit to Foxhall’s home in an East Riding village. The victim described how Foxhall, at one point, told him he could send out such images if he wanted to, which made the boy uncomfortable. Foxhall then invited the boy upstairs, asking him to take off his trousers, which the boy refused due to embarrassment. The victim admitted that it was his first sexual experience and expressed feelings of distress, stating, "I didn’t enjoy it but it was my first sexual encounter."

The victim also testified that Foxhall warned him that if he told anyone, no one would believe him. He further revealed that Foxhall later bought him football stickers as a form of reassurance or bribe. The emotional toll of the case was evident, as the victim explained that the situation had been overwhelming for the past two years. As an adult, he confided in his father, who questioned whether Foxhall knew his true age, to which the victim responded affirmatively, saying, "Yeah, 100 per cent."

This case highlights the ongoing issues of grooming and sexual abuse, with Foxhall’s history and recent conviction serving as stark reminders of the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable minors.