ANDREW HALL FROM PRESTWICH ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SENDING SEXUAL MESSAGES TO TEEN HE KNEW SINCE SHE WAS NINE IN OLDHAM

In a case that has drawn significant attention, Andrew Hall, a 31-year-old man residing on Polefield Approach in Prestwich, was found guilty of sending inappropriate and sexual messages to a teenage girl he had known since she was nine years old. The girl’s connection to Hall was through her mother, as her family was familiar with Hall, which made the situation even more troubling.

According to court proceedings held at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Hall developed a relationship with the young girl and engaged in communication via social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Facebook. The case came to light after the girl’s family became aware of the messages, prompting police involvement.

Prosecutor Julian Goode detailed the incidents, starting with an event in August 2019. He explained that Hall initiated contact by messaging the girl on her mobile phone through WhatsApp, despite her not knowing how he obtained her number. Hall sent her a photograph of his stomach area, prompting her to question whether the image was meant for her. Hall responded affirmatively, instructing her not to disclose the message to anyone. He also asked if she wanted to see more images, further crossing boundaries.

Following this, Hall instructed her to delete the messages, indicating awareness of their inappropriate nature. The misconduct continued into April 2020 when Hall contacted her again via Facebook, asking if she was alone and making suggestive comments, including asking if she was wearing matching underwear. This message was seen by her boyfriend, who responded with a lengthy reply telling Hall to stop. The boyfriend’s intervention prevented the messages from reaching Hall’s partner, who then contacted the police.

During police interviews, Hall admitted that he must have sent the messages but claimed he had no memory of doing so because he was intoxicated at the time. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Judge Abigail Hudson decided against imposing a custodial sentence. Instead, she sentenced Hall to a community order, emphasizing the gravity of his actions.

Judge Hudson stated, “She knew the messages were inappropriate and so did you because you told her to delete them. I accept you may well have been drunk when you sent these messages, but you knew what you were doing and it was wrong. She has learned that not all adults can be trusted, and that will affect her for the rest of her life. She was a young girl you had known for a long period of time, and the age gap between you was considerable. You have an understanding of the wrong you committed.”

In addition to the community order, Hall was fined £500, placed on the sex offenders register, and ordered to participate in the Horizon programme. He was also required to attend 15 days of rehabilitation activities aimed at addressing his behavior and preventing future misconduct.