STUART HALL'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN WILMSLOW AND PRESTON REVEALED

In May 2014, the notorious former BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall, a man well-known in Wilmslow, Cheshire, was sentenced to an additional two years and six months in prison after being found guilty of two counts of indecently assaulting a young girl. The conviction followed a lengthy and detailed trial at Preston Crown Court, where Hall, aged 84, faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct spanning over a decade.

Hall, who had previously denied any wrongdoing, admitted to indecently assaulting the same girl when she was only 13 years old. The court's majority verdict on May 16 confirmed his guilt on one count of indecent assault. Despite this, he was acquitted of 15 charges of rape and four other counts of indecent assault. The incident Hall admitted to involved him sneaking into the victim’s bedroom during a dinner party at a residence in Wilmslow, where he then proceeded to assault her, an act that has now been condemned as a grave breach of trust and abuse of power.

Hall’s history of abuse is extensive. He was accused of molesting two girls between 1976 and 1981, and he is already serving a 30-month sentence after pleading guilty to assaulting 13 other girls, some as young as nine years old. These offenses occurred over a period from 1967 to 1985. His initial sentence of 15 months was later doubled on appeal, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

In September 2013, Hall was transferred from Preston Prison in Lancashire to Wymott Prison, a category C facility known for housing vulnerable prisoners, including sex offenders. This move was part of a broader investigation into new allegations, including claims from a woman, believed to be from Hall’s own family circle, who alleged she was raped multiple times over several years when she was in her early teens. A police spokesperson confirmed that authorities are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to determine the appropriate legal response to these new claims.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Hall vehemently denied the allegations initially, claiming the victims sought notoriety. However, he later admitted to 14 counts of indecent assault involving girls as young as nine. His 15-month sentence was subsequently doubled to 30 months after public outcry and judicial review. The court’s detailed sentencing remarks highlighted the gravity of his offenses, which included assaults at his home, during elocution lessons, and in other settings, often involving children under the age of 16.

Victims, some of whom have come forward publicly, described their traumatic experiences. One woman, Tracy, recounted her assault at the age of 13, describing how she was invited to a friend’s house during Christmas holidays, only to be subjected to inappropriate touching by Hall while she was intoxicated. She detailed how Hall’s actions extended to her friends and even her younger sister, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior. Other victims reported being molested during supposed lessons or after being invited to sing at BBC studios, with some recounting how Hall used alcohol and manipulation to facilitate his abuse.

Hall’s initial denials and public statements claiming innocence were met with outrage. His legal team argued that his actions were a product of a different era, describing his conduct as a crime of its time, and attempted to mitigate his sentence by citing his age, remorse, and charitable work. Nonetheless, the court emphasized that the nature of his crimes, especially involving children, warranted a custodial sentence. The judge sentenced Hall to a total of 15 months in prison, with all sentences to run concurrently, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses and the need for justice.

Furthermore, Hall was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was informed that his name would be included in the Disclosure and Barring Service’s list of barred persons. He was also required to pay over £11,500 towards prosecution costs. The court acknowledged his age and health issues but emphasized that these factors did not diminish the gravity of his crimes. The case has left a lasting impact on the victims and the public, highlighting the importance of justice for those who suffered in silence for decades.