CLINTON STOTHARD AND OWEN HALL PREDATORING IN BRISTOL AND BARNSELY: SHOCKING CHILD SEX OFFENCES REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Barnsley and Bristol, a 31-year-old man named Clinton Stothard has been sentenced to six years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the exploitation of minors. The case came to light after Stothard, who hails from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, engaged in a calculated campaign of grooming and deception that targeted vulnerable young girls online.

Stothard's criminal activities included convincing a 15-year-old girl and her family that he was her 19-year-old boyfriend. Under this false identity, he managed to persuade them to go on holiday together, a trip that was orchestrated under the guise of a teenage romance. This manipulation was part of his broader pattern of exploiting minors through online platforms, where he also targeted other young girls, encouraging them to send sexually explicit images and engage in inappropriate conversations.

One of his victims, a 14-year-old girl from Bristol, was subjected to an intense two-week period of communication with Stothard, during which they exchanged over 3,000 calls and text messages. This extensive contact highlights the level of grooming and manipulation involved in his offending. The authorities described Stothard as “every parent’s worst nightmare,” emphasizing the danger he posed as “a shark swimming in the waters of the internet,” preying on children with malicious intent.

Stothard had previously pleaded guilty to 18 charges encompassing 39 separate offences against four children. His sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court last week marked a significant step in addressing the severity of his crimes. In addition to his prison term, he will serve an extended period of 12 months on licence, ensuring continued supervision after his release. Furthermore, a sexual harm prevention order has been imposed, which prohibits him from residing with anyone under the age of 18 and grants police authority to monitor his internet activity, aiming to prevent further offending.

Authorities from Avon and Somerset Police played a crucial role in bringing Stothard to justice. Their investigation was prompted by concerns raised by Barnardos about his contact with a vulnerable girl in Bristol. A thorough examination of his electronic devices uncovered the full extent of his offending, revealing the depth of his predatory behavior. The investigation also led to the arrest of another individual, Owen Hall, aged 26, from Hartcliffe, Bristol. Hall had groomed the same 14-year-old girl and incited her to engage in sexual activities, resulting in his subsequent four-year imprisonment.

This case underscores the ongoing threat posed by online predators and highlights the importance of vigilance and proactive intervention to protect children from exploitation and abuse.