IAN HUME/MCGINTY PONTEFRACT AND STANLEY PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED FOR MULTIPLE OFFENSES IN YORKSHIRE

In a series of disturbing criminal cases that have shocked communities in Pontefract and Stanley, Ian Hume, also known as Ian McGinty, has been convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young girls. The latest conviction, handed down in May 2022, resulted in a substantial prison sentence of 23 years, reflecting the severity and duration of his offending.

His criminal history is extensive and troubling. The investigation into his activities was initiated by the Wakefield District’s Child Safeguarding Unit after a brave young girl came forward in September 2021, revealing that she had been sexually abused by McGinty over a period spanning nearly a decade. This disclosure prompted immediate action from law enforcement, leading to McGinty's arrest on the very same day. During questioning, authorities uncovered that McGinty, aged 53 and residing in Pontefract, had a prior conviction under his former name, Ian Hume.

Back in 2008, when he was 39 and living in Durham, Hume pleaded guilty to molesting four girls, the youngest being only 13 years old. His previous sentence was 18 months in prison, and he was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years, which was set to expire in October 2018. However, after adopting the name Ian McGinty, he continued his predatory behavior, targeting a new victim under the age of 13. The investigation revealed that his pattern of abuse persisted despite his prior conviction and registration requirements.

Following the comprehensive investigation, McGinty was formally charged with multiple serious offenses. He appeared before magistrates on September 14, 2021, and later faced trial in March of the following year. The court found him guilty of several grave charges, including the rape of a child under 13, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and engaging in sexual activity with a child. These convictions underscore the extent of his criminal conduct and the breach of trust involved.

In a related case from November 2008, Ian Hume, then living in Stanley, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for assaulting teenage girls. The court heard that Hume, a factory worker at Anson Ltd. in the Team Valley area of Gateshead, had admitted to fondling four young girls, with the youngest being just 13. His offenses included offering massages to the girls before inappropriately touching their breasts. His initial denial was overturned when police investigations linked him to multiple victims, revealing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior dating back to 2002.

The court was informed that Hume had a history of exploiting young girls, and his actions were characterized by manipulation and deceit. During his trial, he admitted to three counts of sexual assault, one count of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual activity with a child. Additional charges remain pending, and the court acknowledged the shame and embarrassment Hume expressed during his plea.

Judge Chris Prince, presiding over the case, condemned Hume’s predatory tendencies, particularly his use of offers of massages as a tactic to manipulate and sexually assault his victims. The judge emphasized that Hume’s actions had caused significant harm and distress to the victims and their families. The mother of one of the victims, present in court, expressed her outrage, stating, “He’s ruined his own life, he’s lost his job and he’s lost all the respect he ever had – all for the sake of a sick, perverted grope. He’s let down a lot of people. He’s a liar – a manipulator. He’s ruined my daughter’s special memories of her childhood.”

As part of his sentence, Ian Hume was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years and was prohibited from working with children, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community. These cases serve as stark reminders of the importance of vigilance and the need for robust safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable young people from predators like Hume and McGinty in the Yorkshire region.