DAVID HUNTER FROM GAINESBOROUGH CAUGHT IN SHOCKING ONLINE STALKING AND SEX OFFENDER BREACHES

In December 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving David Hunter, a 67-year-old resident of Gainsborough, who was convicted of multiple offenses related to his inappropriate conduct towards minors and violations of court orders designed to control his behavior.

Hunter’s criminal activities came to light after authorities uncovered a pattern of online harassment and illegal contact with a teenage girl. The police investigation revealed that Hunter had initiated communication with a schoolgirl via social media platforms. He sent her links to websites featuring balloons, specifically orange balloons, which he has a known fetish for, and made comments describing her as 'gorgeous.'

Further probing into Hunter’s activities uncovered a more troubling history. Police raided his home in Gainsborough and discovered that he had been in contact with the 15-year-old girl, whom he had previously secretly filmed on a bus. The footage found was bizarre and disturbing, showing Hunter appearing to 'simulate sex' with an orange balloon. In addition, investigators seized hundreds of images depicting young girls holding or inflating balloons, which indicated a persistent and troubling fixation.

In addition to the material found at his residence, police also searched two self-built sheds on land leased to Hunter on a farm in Aslockton, Nottinghamshire. These searches uncovered hundreds more images of young girls with balloons, further evidencing his ongoing obsession. The police also uncovered evidence suggesting Hunter had engaged in swimming activities with a nine-year-old girl at Butlins, raising serious concerns about his interactions with minors.

Hunter’s criminal record is extensive. He was first convicted in 1994 for taking indecent or pseudo-photographs of children. Since then, he has been subject to a series of Sexual Offences Prevention Orders (SOPOs), starting from 2001. Notably, in 2003, Hunter was found to have breached his SOPO by traveling abroad without notifying authorities, despite being required to do so. Police found a brochure detailing his four-day trip to Norway, along with a stash of orange balloons and inflatable toys in a garden shed, which he was prohibited from possessing under his previous orders.

His history also includes a 40-month prison sentence in 2015 for filming a girl on a bus, although he continued to contact her months after his release. In March of the same year, Hunter sent a Facebook request to the girl, accompanied by a black-and-white photo of a schoolboy and references to balloon websites. Further messages on Instagram included comments like 'you’re gorgeous' and 'love you to bits.'

During the court proceedings, the prosecution highlighted Hunter’s development of a fetish for orange balloons, which appeared to be a central aspect of his offending behavior. The police found approximately 200 images of girls with balloons at his Gainsborough home, with additional images discovered in the sheds. Hunter’s history also includes a 1999 order banning him from possessing balloons or inflatable toys in public, which he violated.

In court, Hunter admitted to four charges of breaching his sexual offences prevention order and one count of failing to comply with notification requirements by using an alias, 'David Harley.' The judge, Judge John Pini QC, sentenced him to three-and-a-half years in prison, emphasizing Hunter’s history of wilful non-compliance with court orders. The judge noted that, although there was no evidence of direct sexual contact in this case, Hunter’s persistent breaches and disturbing online behavior warranted a severe sentence.

Additional legal actions were also discussed. In October 2002, police sought to extend restrictions on Hunter, who was then 52, due to concerns about his proximity to areas frequented by children. Despite not being accused of new offenses, authorities aimed to prevent him from visiting places where children gather, citing his history of visiting such areas and his previous convictions for child-related offenses, including abduction and possession of indecent images.

Hunter’s criminal record is extensive, with convictions dating back to 1994. His offenses include child abduction, possession of indecent images, and breaches of previous orders. His history of using balloons as part of his offending behavior has led to specific bans on possessing such items in public. Despite his ongoing legal issues, Hunter has sought to challenge restrictions, claiming they interfere with his work delivering cars across the country.

Overall, the case underscores the ongoing risks posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses and the importance of vigilant monitoring and enforcement of court orders to protect vulnerable minors from exploitation and harm.