DONALD HUNT: OSWALDTWISTLE AND WHITEHAVEN PAEDOPHILE STRIKES AGAIN

In October 2012, a disturbing case involving Donald Hunt, a man with a troubling history of sexual offenses, came to light in the courts. Hunt, aged 58, who previously worked as a religious education teacher, was found to have breached a court order that strictly prohibited him from having any contact with children. This breach occurred when he was seen working alongside primary school pupils at a stall during a farmers’ market, an activity that directly contravened the restrictions placed upon him.

Hunt’s criminal history is extensive and deeply troubling. In 2006, he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy while he was employed as a teacher in Lancashire during the 1980s. The court had subsequently imposed a sexual offences prevention order, which explicitly forbade him from being in contact with children under the age of 16 without supervision. Despite this, Hunt was accused of violating these terms by visiting a school in West Cumbria, specifically Holme St Cuthbert’s Primary School at Mawbray, between April 4 of the previous year and March 28 of the current year.

Details emerged during a hearing at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court, where it was revealed that Hunt, residing on Gosforth Road in Seascale, had gone to assist at a farmers’ market held at the school. He was working for the Lakeland Cheese Company, which had a stall at the event, and was responsible for promoting the company’s products. The court heard that Hunt’s role involved managing the cheese shop and participating in market activities to boost sales.

Sheila Daniel, the headmistress of the primary school, explained that she had contacted Hunt beforehand to inform him about the event and to request that he bring samples of cheese. She clarified that she had told him that pupils from the school would be involved in setting up the stalls, selling produce, and handling cash transactions. However, Hunt claimed he could not recall being told that children would be present at the event, raising questions about his awareness of the situation.

During the four-day trial, evidence was presented showing that two young girls and a boy had helped out at Hunt’s stall. There was no indication that Hunt had engaged in any inappropriate conduct at the market; the issue was solely that his presence there was a breach of the court order. Prosecutor Andrew Travis pointed out that Hunt had also failed to disclose his criminal conviction when applying for his job with the cheese company, which further complicated his case.

Hunt’s defense, represented by Geoff Lockerbie, argued that he would not have attended the market had he known children would be involved. Hunt himself denied breaching his court order, claiming he could not remember reading the specific terms of the sexual offences order. He admitted, with the benefit of hindsight, that he should not have been at the event.

The court’s sentencing judge, who previously sentenced Hunt in Lancashire, described him as a “dangerous paedophile” who had abused his position of trust. The judge referenced Hunt’s past offenses, including an indecent assault on a boy in a school storeroom in 1984, and noted that Hunt had been suspended from his teaching position at Whitehaven in September 2004 after legal proceedings had begun against him. Earlier, in 2000, Hunt had received a formal warning from Whitehaven School after he approached a 12-year-old boy about underwear modeling, taking the boy to a storeroom and lifting his shirt.

Hunt’s criminal record is extensive. In July 2006, he was sentenced to nine months in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing a 14-year-old pupil. The victim, now 35, expressed relief at finally seeing justice served, stating, “I’m glad we’ve finally nailed him.” Hunt’s history also includes a series of inappropriate behaviors, including an incident where he approached a 12-year-old boy about modeling underwear and asked him to perform a role-play exercise involving a mock sexual assault.

Hunt, a married man and father of three, has been active in the Christian community throughout his adult life. His sentencing, scheduled for October 17, will also include a requirement for him to sign a sexual offence prevention order, which will prohibit him from approaching or contacting any young males in the future. The judge emphasized that while Hunt was a talented teacher who had achieved much for his pupils, his abuse of trust was a grave betrayal of the responsibilities entrusted to him. The court’s proceedings revealed a pattern of predatory behavior that has caused significant harm and distress to his victims, and the case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from individuals with a history of sexual misconduct.