YORK SEX OFFENDER DAVID HAMPTON TERRORIZES WOMEN IN YORK CITY CENTRE AND GETS 12 MONTHS JAIL

A man with a long history of sexual offences, David Karl Hampton, aged 56, has been sentenced to a year in prison after a series of alarming incidents that left women in York feeling unsafe and terrified. The court heard that Hampton, who has accumulated at least 30 previous convictions for sexual misconduct and has previously served time for similar offences at York Railway Station, engaged in a disturbing pattern of behaviour in the city centre.

On the night of September 24, in the early hours, Hampton approached two women separately within a span of just 20 minutes. The first encounter took place in Micklegate, where he made sexually explicit and threatening remarks to a lone woman. Less than half an hour later, he targeted another woman in Queen Street, again making inappropriate and menacing comments. Both women, upon hearing Hampton’s words, instinctively walked away and immediately contacted the police to report the incidents.

According to the court proceedings, Hampton spoke quietly into the ears of his victims, detailing what he intended to do sexually to them. The impact of his actions was profound, with one victim providing a personal statement that expressed her ongoing fear and distress. She stated, “The thought that this man is wandering the streets at night makes me fearful for my own safety and the safety of any other woman walking alone. As a result of his actions, I do not feel safe or relaxed in my own home or walking around my local area. This feeling of fear will stay with me, I know that it will take me a long time to regain the confidence to walk on my own.”

Police officers responded swiftly, and by 2 a.m., Hampton was located and taken into custody. He was charged with multiple offences, including two counts of using threatening words and behaviour, two counts of failing to comply with the requirements of the sex offenders' register, and one count of failing to attend court. Hampton pleaded guilty to all charges.

Hampton, who has no fixed address, appeared before York Magistrates Court, where he was sentenced to 12 months in prison—the maximum penalty available at this level of court. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of his actions and the threat he posed to the community.

Anne Yates, a police staff investigator from the York and Selby investigation hub, commented on the case, saying, “David Karl Hampton is a sexual predator, and these offences are entirely sexually motivated. The deeply disturbing and sickening words he used towards his victims made the women believe he was going to carry out his threats. Hampton has been terrorising lone women for years, and these incidents occurred at a time when the safety of women and girls is at the forefront of the public's minds. He has been striking fear into the hearts of women, which cannot be allowed to continue. North Yorkshire Police will do everything within its power to stop him and others like him.”