Febuary 2003 Handyman admits under-age sex A married handyman who disappeared with a schoolgirl half his age has walked free from court. Colin Giblin, 36, of Park Lane, Hull, vanished with Hailey Edwards in August 2001. He had been hired by her parents to tile the conservatory of their home in Cleethorpes, North Lincolnshire. Hailey, who was 15 at the time, and Giblin went missing for more than two weeks, Grimsby Crown Court heard on Monday. The pair were found when Giblin handed himself and the girl in to police after realising a massive media campaign had been launched to help in the search. John Thackray, defending, told the court Giblin had not known how old Hailey was at the time of the disappearance. He made it clear that no complaint had ever been made by Hailey against Giblin and that the couple continued to live together in a stable relationship. “They are doing well in life,” said Mr Thackray. “They have a mortgage, he is in full-time work and supports her.” Giblin admitted having sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 years of age between December 1 2001 and February 2002. Judge Trevor Barber ordered two further counts of abducting a child to lie on file. Giblin was given a conditional discharge for good behaviour of three years, ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years and ordered to pay £950 costs.