EAST HULL SEX OFFENDER STEPHEN HEMINGWAY JAILED FOR FILMING SCHOOLGIRLS' SKIRTS
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Stephen Hemingway, a 35-year-old known offender from East Hull, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being caught in the act of filming up the skirts of schoolgirls.The incident took place in August 2012 at the Whitefriargate branch of HMV, located in the heart of Hull city centre.
According to reports, a vigilant security guard working at the store noticed Hemingway, who was using his mobile phone in a suspicious manner near a 12-year-old girl.
Recognizing the potential threat, the guard promptly contacted the police.
When officers arrived and arrested Hemingway, they discovered on his phone a collection of images depicting young girls and women, all of whom he had secretly filmed without their consent.
During police questioning, Hemingway shockingly claimed that his victim had 'enjoyed it,' a statement that further compounded the seriousness of his actions.
The victim’s mother later provided a statement read out in Hull Crown Court, expressing the emotional toll the incident had taken on her daughter.
She stated, 'Despite the fact she was unaware at the time, it has affected her since.
She has been shocked by it and it has affected her sleeping.' Hemingway’s criminal history is extensive and troubling.
He was previously convicted in 2004 for indecently assaulting a teenager on a train.
His pattern of offending continued with a 2007 incident where he exposed himself to a nine-year-old girl at a city leisure centre.
Two years later, he was jailed again after breaching a court order by entering a city park from which he was explicitly banned.
In addition, he was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) issued in 2004, which he has now breached for the fourth time.
At the time of his arrest, Hemingway expressed defiance, telling probation officers that his SOPO 'could go to hell.' The court heard that he had a long-standing record of sex-related offences and violations of court orders, raising serious concerns about his risk to the community.
Judge Simon Jack sentenced Hemingway to four years in prison, describing his conduct as 'disturbing.' In his remarks, the judge emphasized Hemingway’s extensive criminal background, noting that over the past eight years, his offences have predominantly involved sex crimes and violations of his SOPO.
The judge pointed out that this was Hemingway’s fourth failure to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders’ register.
He further criticized Hemingway’s attitude, highlighting his dismissive comment to the probation officer that he had not harmed anyone and that the victim 'most likely enjoyed the experience.' The judge expressed grave concern over Hemingway’s apparent lack of regard for the court’s orders and the potential danger his actions posed.
He stated, 'It was no surprise that the Probation Service take the view you pose a very high risk of causing serious harm.' While acknowledging that there was no direct contact with the girl and that she may never have realized what was happening, the judge stressed the real risk of harm had she been aware.
He concluded by condemning Hemingway’s overall behavior and emphasizing the importance of protecting the community from such predatory conduct.
Hemingway pleaded guilty to charges of outraging public decency and breaching his SOPO during the court proceedings.
His legal representative, Richard Thompson, explained that since his last release from prison, Hemingway has made efforts to lead a more normal life.
Thompson noted that Hemingway had attempted to establish a relationship with an adult woman, which ended in rejection, leading him to struggle with alcohol and ultimately commit the recent offence.
The lawyer added that Hemingway has deep-rooted difficulties and hopes to receive further treatment while in custody.
Hemingway, who resides on Hedon Road in East Hull, has accumulated a total of 47 convictions, including seven for sex offences since 2004.
As part of his sentence, he has been ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and is permanently disqualified from working with children.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by repeat offenders and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in safeguarding vulnerable members of society.
