BARRIE HILL, THE PREDATOR FROM HULL, TARGETS TEENAGE GIRL ON QUIET COUNTRY ROAD
A man with a disturbing history of sexual offenses, Barrie Hill from Hull, has been convicted of following a teenage girl along a secluded country road, an incident that has left her family deeply shaken and concerned about public safety.According to court reports, Hill, aged 57 and residing in Swanland, initiated the frightening encounter after spotting the girl walking alone shortly after midnight.
The girl, who had sneaked out of her home in Holderness following an argument with her family, was unaware that she was being watched until she noticed a converted camper van driving up and down the quiet road.
Witnesses and the victim's family described how Hill’s vehicle stopped in front of her and then pulled into a nearby lay-by.
Over the course of approximately five trips along the road, Hill’s camper van repeatedly went back and forth, creating a tense and threatening atmosphere.
The girl attempted to escape into a nearby field, but Hill followed her on foot, shining a torch directly into her face as she tried to retreat further away from him.
During the incident, Hill exited his van and pursued her into the field, an act that the girl described as terrifying.
She recounted that Hill shone a torch into her face, making her feel vulnerable and scared.
Hill, however, denied these allegations, claiming he was not following her and that he did not shine a torch in her face.
During cross-examination, the defense questioned the girl about Hill’s version of events, asking if he truly did not get out of the van or shine a torch, to which she responded, “No.” The girl’s stepfather, who was alerted by her frantic phone call around midnight, testified that she called him in a state of distress, pleading for help.
He described how he immediately leapt out of bed, asked her her location, and then rushed to her aid.
When he arrived, he found her approximately a mile away, visibly upset and frightened.
He recounted how she told him, “Help me, help me.
I am being followed,” prompting him to jump into his car and head toward her.
Upon reaching her, the stepfather saw the headlights of the camper van facing him and quickly confronted Hill.
He told the jury that he approached Hill and said, “I know what you are doing,” to which Hill appeared shocked and surprised.
The stepfather then followed the van as it drove away, attempting to obtain its registration number.
During this confrontation, Hill claimed he was lost and that his sat-nav was not working.
The court also heard about Hill’s extensive criminal history.
He has previous convictions for indecent assault, breaching a sexual harm prevention order, and failing to comply with notification requirements as a registered sex offender.
The sexual harm prevention order, issued at Caernarfon Crown Court in 2017, was a response to a series of incidents in North Wales where Hill made crude sexual comments that upset women.
The order explicitly prohibited him from approaching lone women, offering lifts, or giving massages to women.
Despite these restrictions, Hill was found to have violated the order multiple times, resulting in a 26-week jail sentence for breaching it.
In October 2018, he received a further one-year sentence for additional breaches.
His criminal record and breaches raised serious concerns about his presence on bail during the recent trial.
At Hull Crown Court, Hill was convicted by a jury after denying the charges.
The prosecution described him as a “true predator,” emphasizing the danger he posed to women and the community.
The court sentenced him to four years in prison.
During the sentencing, Cathy Kioko-Gilligan, representing Hill, argued that he was the primary carer for his mother, who was seriously ill, and that Hill was registered disabled, suggesting that prison would be particularly difficult for him.
Following the verdict, Hill’s history of offending and breaches of court orders was highlighted by the victim’s stepfather, who expressed concern about why Hill had been released on bail during the trial.
He also criticized Hill’s silence during the terrifying incident, noting that if Hill’s motives had been innocent, he would have asked the girl if she was okay.
Instead, Hill remained silent, which the family believed could have led to a much worse outcome.
Overall, the case underscores the ongoing risks posed by individuals with a history of sexual offending and the importance of strict enforcement of court orders designed to protect the public from potential predators.
