Police praise brave victims after"disgusting" Barnsley paedophile is jailed
"No amount of time will spend behind bars will ever undo the disgusting acts he committed”
Police have commended the brave victims whose testimonies landed a paedophile behind bars for “disgusting” sexual crimes against children as young as three.
Geoffrey Hall has been sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment for the non-recent sexual assaults.
The 82-year-old was found guilty of 14 sexual offences against two victims.
The first victim came forward to disclose the abhorrent offending in 2011, with the second later identified and approached.
A jury unanimously found Hall, of Well Hill Grove, Barnsley, guilty of the offences in June this year.
Investigation Officer David Dodds, from the Barnsley Protecting Vulnerable People team, said: "Both victims have shown tremendous strength throughout the whole investigation and lengthy court process. Their accounts are what ultimately secured the conviction against Hill, so I hope that brings them some peace.
"No amount of time Hall will spend behind bars will ever undo the disgusting acts he committed.
"I hope this sentence shows that it is never too late to come forward if you are a victim of sexual assault. We will listen to you and try our best to secure you the justice you deserve."
During his sentencing hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday, September 21, one victim explaining how they turned to drink to help “numb” the pain of the sexual abuse endured as a child, leading to them becoming an alcoholic.
The court also heard that Hall continued to avoid responsibility, attempting to “discredit” the survivors to the author of his pre-sentence report.
When passing sentence, Judge Sarah Wright told him: “You’ve shown not an ounce of remorse for your appalling behaviour towards these children[…] you’ve caused severe psychological harm to them.”