Barnton ex-soldier jailed for trying to rape girl, 9

BARNTON EX-SOLDIER JAILED FOR TRYING TO RAPE GIRL, 9

An ex-soldier from Barnton has been jailed for trying to rape a nine-year-old girl in her own bed.

Michael Hale, of Hindley Crescent, was around 22 at the time when he tried to assault the girl.

On a separate occasion, Hale forced the same child to touch his exposed genitals and perform a sex act on him.

The 35-year-old told her not to tell anyone, which she felt bound by for more than a decade before eventually coming forward.

Six years earlier, when he was just 16, Hale also sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl.

These offences came to light when the victim was in counselling more than a decade later.

At least five times, Hale incited her to touch his genitals with her foot while he touched hers with his hands.

Following an investigation, police charged Hale with one count each of attempted rape, sexual assault, causing a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity, and causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He pleaded not guilty all offences at a hearing at Chester Crown Court, but on the morning of his trial on Monday, November 17, changed his pleas relating to the older victim to guilty.

At the end of the trial on Friday, November 21, a jury found him guilty of the remaining charges of attempted rape and causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Hale, who until now had no criminal record, appeared at the crown court by video link for sentencing on Thursday, January 8, for reasons His Honour Judge Simon Berkson said ‘related to his physical health’.