ALAN HAWKINS FROM SKIPTON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING TEENAGE GIRL

In August 2013, Alan Hawkins, a 64-year-old former school caretaker from Consort Street, Skipton, faced legal consequences after engaging in inappropriate online conduct involving a teenage girl. Hawkins was found guilty of sending sexually explicit images of himself to a girl he had befriended through a social networking site, as well as possessing indecent photographs of a child. The girl, who was in foster care at the time, was only 14 years old, although Hawkins believed she was 16. The incident took place between March 11 and March 29, 2012, with Hawkins also admitting to possessing an indecent photograph of a child between March 29 and April 12, 2012.

Hawkins appeared before Skipton Magistrates’ Court to face sentencing after pleading guilty to these charges. The court heard that he had sent five images of himself performing sexual acts and received two images of the girl’s naked breasts. The girl, known to Hawkins as Alan, had told him she was only in Year 10 at school and was aware of his occupation as a cleaner. Despite her being moved to a foster home, Hawkins continued their relationship, which was facilitated through the Qeep mobile phone social networking application.

During the course of their interactions, Hawkins sent the girl £35 to top up her mobile phone account. The court was also informed that he believed the girl was 16, but in reality, she was two years younger. The relationship escalated to the point where Hawkins sent explicit images of himself, and the girl reciprocated with two images of her naked breasts. The situation came to light when her foster carer noticed an inappropriate image on her mobile device, prompting social services to be contacted. Authorities traced Hawkins, leading to the seizure of his laptop and mobile phone.

Following his arrest, Hawkins was interviewed and explained that he had been chatting with other women on social networking sites because his wife was unwell and his home life was unsatisfactory. His solicitor, John Mewies, described Hawkins as a “totally and utterly broken man,” emphasizing that his wife, who was disabled, remained supportive despite the circumstances. Mewies revealed that Hawkins had suffered mental health issues, including two suicide attempts—once by overdose and another by throwing himself under a moving vehicle—highlighting the profound impact of his actions on his mental well-being.

Hawkins was sentenced to a 16-week prison term, suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete a two-year community order with two years of supervision, attend a sex offenders treatment program, and spend five years on a sex offenders prevention order, which requires regular reporting to the police. He was also mandated to pay £85 in court costs. As part of his sentence, Hawkins was placed on the sex offenders register. The court’s decision followed his acknowledgment of guilt and the seriousness of his actions, which involved causing a child to view sexual images and possessing indecent photographs of a minor. His conduct has led to his dismissal from his role as a school caretaker, a position he held at a local primary school in Skipton, where he had no direct contact with children during his employment.