DRIGHLINGTON PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO OVER 8 YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE AND HARASSMENT
A paedophile who targeted and sexually abused a young girl began stalking her mother in an extremely distressing manner.Luke Hillier, aged 35, was convicted by a jury of two counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of attempted assault by penetration, although he had previously admitted to stalking the girl’s mother.
Hillier, residing on Whitehall Grove in Drighlington, initially preyed upon the girl when she was only 10 years old.
During one terrifying event, he assaulted the girl in a swimming pool, as the Leeds Crown Court was told on Thursday, July 10.
The prosecutor, Camille Morland, explained that the girl confided in her mother via text about the incidents after Hillier targeted her twice more when she was 13.
The matter was reported to the police, but Hillier escalated his harassment by stalking her mother.
Ms Morland stated that Hillier repeatedly called and messaged the woman—at one point telling her, "Watch what is coming.
No-one will find you." On another occasion, he called her 72 times and threatened her, saying, "I'm going to smash your house up, I will write you off." During one frightening incident, Hillier saw the woman while she was in her car, flashed his lights, and made hand gestures.
Ms Morland added, "That same day he constantly called and messaged her, sometimes on a withheld number.
He made calls during the day, sent messages, and made her feel harassed." She felt threatened by his messages and calls, and after she told him she wanted no contact, communication ceased for two weeks before Hillier messaged her on WhatsApp, saying, "Please can we have a conversation, I just want to talk." Two days later, his behaviour worsened, and he intentionally let the woman’s tyres down.
Hillier was reported to the police and subsequently arrested.
It was revealed that Hillier has a prior conviction for stalking the same woman.
During sentencing, solicitor Samuel Ponniah described Hillier’s conduct as "ugly," acknowledging that Hillier is a self-employed man who faced financial difficulties and the loss of a close family member, which led him to substance abuse involving alcohol and cocaine, causing him to depart from his previous demeanor.
Hillier's court appearance was marked by him being overwhelmed and excusing himself from the courtroom.
The judge, His Honour Judge Clark, sentenced Hillier to eight years and four months in prison, emphasizing the profound and lasting harm inflicted on the victim and her family.
Additionally, Hillier was ordered to be subject to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order and to register as a sex offender for life, recognizing the severity and ongoing risk of his predatory behavior.
