MICHAEL HALL FROM GOSFORTH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN IN NOVEMBER 2019

In November 2019, a disturbing case involving the sexual abuse of a young boy and the exploitation of two other children came to light, culminating in the sentencing of Michael Robert Hall, a 64-year-old man from Gosforth. Hall was found guilty of a series of heinous crimes that spanned several years, leading to his imprisonment for a total of eight years.

Details of the case revealed that Hall’s victim, a boy who was only seven years old when the abuse began, endured numerous assaults over an extended period. The court heard how Hall’s predatory behavior was not limited to a single incident but involved multiple assaults, with the offender also performing sex acts in front of two young girls. These girls, who had initially kept silent out of fear or shame, eventually found the courage to come forward more than two decades later, in 2017, to report the abuse to the police.

Following their disclosures, law enforcement authorities reached out to the now-adult victim, who then revealed the full extent of the abuse he had suffered at Hall’s hands. This revelation prompted a thorough investigation, which led to Hall’s arrest. He was subsequently charged with 14 counts of sexual offences against children. Despite his denial of the allegations, a jury at Newcastle Crown Court convicted him after a two-week trial.

Hall, who resided at Davidsons Cottages in Gosforth, faced justice at a sentencing hearing held on October 24 at the same court. The judge sentenced him to eight years in prison, marking a significant victory for the victims and the justice system.

Detective Constable Gary Turnbull, the officer leading the investigation, publicly commended the bravery of the victims who came forward. He described Hall as a “despicable human being” who preyed on vulnerable children and subjected them to horrific abuse. Turnbull emphasized that Hall’s crimes were not isolated incidents but spanned several years, destroying the childhood of his main victim. He also highlighted the courage of the two young girls who, decades after the abuse, chose to speak out and face their abuser in court.

Turnbull expressed his admiration for the victims’ resilience, stating, “The bravery all three victims have shown throughout this case is overwhelming. They have stood in court and looked their abuser in the eye, and I am delighted that the jury saw through his web of lies.” He added that Hall’s imprisonment would hopefully bring some measure of peace and closure to those affected.

During the trial, one of the women who had been abused read a victim impact statement, revealing how the trauma had profoundly affected her life. She described her ongoing struggle to trust others and her disillusionment with humanity, saying, “My family have always told me to see the good in people. I do still try but the more I think about this experience and how it’s affected us all, the more I think there’s more evil than good. I am in utter disbelief how a human can commit such terrible crimes on children. I find it hard to trust even more so now it’s very difficult to invite new people into my life and trust.”

Overall, the case underscores the importance of vigilance and the courage required for victims to come forward, especially in cases involving long-standing abuse. The justice served in this instance aims to provide some measure of relief and justice for those who suffered at the hands of Michael Hall in Gosforth.