JAMES WRIGHT GROOMS SCHOOLGIRL IN HULL AND NORTHALLERTON: SHOCKING CRIME LEADS TO SUSPENDED SENTENCE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Hull and Northallerton, James Wright, a man with ties to both locations, was convicted of grooming a young girl and engaging in inappropriate sexual activities. The incident, which came to light in May 2013, revealed a troubling pattern of manipulation and exploitation by Wright, who was at the time married and living in Northallerton.

According to court reports, Wright, then 34 years old, initiated contact with the teenage girl via the internet. Over a period of time, he engaged her in conversations that gradually became more personal and inappropriate. The court heard that Wright had taken advantage of the girl’s infatuation with him, promising that they would wait until she turned 16 before engaging in any sexual activity. Despite this, he later engaged in sexual acts with her, including kissing and cuddling, which he initially denied but later admitted to during police questioning.

The court was informed that Wright was experiencing personal difficulties at the time, including marital problems and financial hardship. These issues appeared to have contributed to his poor judgment and decision to exploit the young girl. The girl, who was significantly younger than Wright, was described as being infatuated with him, and he had told her they would wait until she was of legal age to have sex.

During the investigation, the girl expressed fears that she might be pregnant after they had been 'spooning' in bed, although prosecutors confirmed that no sexual intercourse had taken place. Wright’s arrest last year led to his admission of kissing and cuddling the girl, but he initially denied any inappropriate touching. Eventually, he pleaded guilty to two charges of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Judge George Moorhouse sentenced Wright to two years in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time immediately but would be under supervision by the Probation Service. The judge also ordered Wright to participate in a sex offender treatment program and to register as a sex offender for the next seven years. The court emphasized the need for educational intervention, citing a detailed report that highlighted Wright’s urgent need for help.

It was also revealed that Wright’s wife had left him immediately after discovering his affair with the young girl. Despite the breach of trust and the serious nature of his actions, his employer chose to retain his job, a decision that drew criticism from some quarters. During the hearing, Wright’s barrister, Robin Frieze, acknowledged the significant hardship Wright had endured since the incident, including the loss of his marriage and the impact on his employment. Frieze argued that a suspended sentence would allow Wright to maintain his job and home, and that with structured support, he might avoid further legal trouble.

Wright, who resides at Beech Grove in Northallerton, was publicly reprimanded by the judge, who stated, “You slowly gained her trust and severely breached it.” The court’s verdict underscores the gravity of the offense and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable young individuals from exploitation, regardless of the offender’s personal circumstances.