DANIEL ERICKSON-HULL: BRITISH PAEDOPHILE ON THE RUN FROM HULL TO BULGARIA
In March 2022, serious concerns were raised about Daniel Erickson-Hull, a convicted British paedophile who remains at large despite extensive evidence of his heinous crimes and multiple legal restrictions.Erickson-Hull, now 46 and originally from Plaistow, London, has become a symbol of the failure of authorities to contain individuals with a proven history of child abuse, especially when they evade justice by fleeing abroad.
Erickson-Hull’s criminal record dates back to 2017, when he was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of creating and possessing hundreds of indecent images of children.
His conviction was a result of a detailed investigation that uncovered his extensive online activity involving child exploitation.
Following his release later that year, he was mandated to register as a sex offender, was subject to a court order prohibiting any unsupervised contact with minors, and was explicitly barred from traveling outside the UK without informing authorities.
Despite these legal restrictions, Erickson-Hull blatantly disregarded the law and managed to relocate to Bulgaria, where he has been living in a deprived Roma neighborhood called Nadezdha.
His presence in Bulgaria was first exposed by the BBC’s File On 4 program in 2019.
The investigation revealed disturbing details about his activities and the community’s complicity.
Three years later, journalist Paul Kenyon revisited the case, highlighting how, despite mounting evidence—including testimonies from Erickson-Hull’s own sister and a former devotee—the British authorities, particularly the Metropolitan Police, have done little to apprehend him or prevent his continued abuse.
When Kenyon initially encountered Erickson-Hull, he was posing as a youth pastor, a guise that allowed him to gain the trust of vulnerable children and their families.
The confrontation footage from 2019 went viral, showing Erickson-Hull being chased away by a mob of teenage followers, illustrating the deep roots he had established within the local community.
This community support was exploited by Erickson-Hull, who used funds received from well-meaning individuals worldwide to manipulate and control the community, often providing cash or essential goods to families in need.
An anonymous witness, who originally tipped off the BBC, explained that Erickson-Hull’s influence extended beyond mere manipulation; he effectively bought the loyalty of entire families and communities with the money he received.
Further disturbing revelations emerged when Dawn Gibbs, an American follower from Houston, Texas, confronted Erickson-Hull in Bulgaria.
She found him in bed with two boys, one facing him directly and the other spooning him from behind.
Gibbs recounted her shock at witnessing the scene and the subsequent chaos as the boys jumped out of bed, shouting and crying.
When Gibbs attempted to speak with Erickson-Hull about the allegations of abuse, he denied everything, claiming the children were possessed by demons and laughed off her concerns.
Gibbs also discovered that approximately 15 boys claimed to have been abused by Erickson-Hull, some of whom had younger siblings who were also victims.
The youngest was just 10 years old, with allegations of oral sex and repeated abuse.
Gibbs reported her findings to the Metropolitan Police but received no response.
Meanwhile, Bulgarian police raided Erickson-Hull’s apartment, where they found him with six children.
He was subsequently charged with abusing eight boys under the age of 16 and was detained to await trial.
However, the local Roma community protested fiercely against his arrest, demonstrating the complex social dynamics at play.
An anonymous source, known as ‘John,’ who initially alerted the BBC, explained that Erickson-Hull’s manipulation extended to the victims’ families and the wider community, which he kept afloat financially through donations and aid.
While in custody, Erickson-Hull’s sister, Anna, was granted access to his YouTube account, which she used to raise funds.
During her investigation, she uncovered horrifying evidence of his online activity, including searches related to teenage boys, prepubescent children, and disturbing sexual content involving children and their parents.
Anna promptly notified the police and provided them with her brother’s search history, hoping for action.
However, the case against Erickson-Hull fell apart when all eight alleged victims withdrew their statements, leaving authorities unable to proceed with prosecution.
Despite the withdrawal of victims’ statements, concerns remain about Erickson-Hull’s ongoing activities.
The Metropolitan Police, citing powers under Section 72 of the Sexual Offences Act, stated they could investigate British offenders abusing children abroad.
Yet, no active investigation has been launched, and Erickson-Hull remains free, actively posting on social media.
The police’s response has been criticized as inadequate, especially given the evidence of his continued abuse and the fact that he is still living openly in Bulgaria.
Former prosecutor Nazir Afzal expressed his outrage, describing the case as “grooming on an industrial scale.” He emphasized that Erickson-Hull’s manipulation of children and their families was systematic and extensive, potentially involving hundreds of victims.
Afzal criticized the authorities for dismissing the case as solely a Bulgarian matter, arguing that as a British citizen, Erickson-Hull’s actions pose a direct threat to children in the UK as well.
He called for greater accountability and action from the police and government agencies.
Meanwhile, Dawn Gibbs remains frustrated, insisting that the British police should contact her directly, as she possesses critical information that could lead to Erickson-Hull’s re-arrest.
She expressed her concern that he is still active and free, posing a danger to children.
Her plea underscores the ongoing failure to address this case adequately and the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to prevent further abuse.
In a separate incident in September 2019, Erickson-Hull was confronted again in Bulgaria, where he was found living among a Roma community in Sliven.
The BBC investigation revealed that he was surrounded by unaccompanied children, despite his legal restrictions.
When journalist Paul Kenyon confronted him, Erickson-Hull denied being a paedophile and claimed he was not on the run.
The footage showed him walking away from the scene, dismissing the accusations, and insisting he was not a danger.
The police and authorities in Bulgaria have limited powers, as his court breaches are not recognized as crimes there, leaving him effectively unrestrained.
Previously, in May 2017, Erickson-Hull was jailed for 15 months after admitting to possessing indecent images of children.
He was also known locally for his involvement in the “Redbridge Birdwatching” site, which he started in 2010.
His community activities contrasted sharply with his criminal behavior, highlighting the disturbing duality of his character.
Despite his criminal record and ongoing allegations, Erickson-Hull remains active on social media, seemingly unrepentant and unrestrained.
The case continues to raise serious questions about the effectiveness of international cooperation and the responsibilities of British authorities to protect children from offenders who seek refuge abroad.
The Metropolitan Police have stated they encourage anyone with information about suspected offences in London to come forward, but critics argue that more proactive measures are needed to prevent offenders like Erickson-Hull from continuing their abuse and evading justice.
