JOHN GILL FROM KNOTTINGLEY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AT OPTICIANS IN WEST YORKSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the local community of Knottingley and the surrounding areas, John Gill, aged 36, was sentenced to a total of 21 months in prison after being found guilty of engaging in a disturbing sexual act in the presence of a 14-year-old girl. The incident took place at the Clear Vision opticians in Knottingley, West Yorkshire, where Gill was working as an optician at the time.

According to court proceedings, the offense occurred when the young girl visited the shop to collect her contact lenses. Gill, who was responsible for her eye care, took her into a back room under the pretense of conducting a vision test. During this examination, Gill was observed to have engaged in inappropriate behavior, specifically masturbating, while the girl was undergoing the eye test. The girl, who was only 14 years old, was reportedly distressed by the incident but continued with the test despite her discomfort. After the test concluded, she noticed Gill appearing visibly embarrassed, red-faced, and hurriedly disposing of a tissue in a bin.

The court heard that Gill's misconduct was not limited to this incident. In 2007, two women who were in the vicinity of his shop witnessed him sitting in a window, masturbating. These witnesses, who had children with them, reported the behavior, which further contributed to Gill's conviction for outraging public decency.

Judge Rodney Grant, presiding over the case at Leeds Crown Court, described the offense as a serious breach of trust. In his sentencing remarks, the judge emphasized the gravity of Gill’s actions, stating that the incident involved a significant betrayal of the trust placed in him by his young patient. The judge pointed out that the girl had been a patient of Gill for some time and trusted him enough to visit his shop when her contact lenses were ready for collection. The betrayal of this trust was considered a key aggravating factor in the case.

Judge Grant highlighted the distress caused to the young girl, noting that her experience was a serious matter that warranted immediate imprisonment. Gill, who was dressed in a suit and tie during the sentencing, showed no visible emotion as he was sentenced to 18 months for the sexual activity in the presence of a minor, with an additional three months for outraging public decency. The court also imposed a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits Gill from contacting the girl, and mandated that he register as a sex offender for the next ten years.

During the trial, Gill’s defense lawyer, John Elvidge, attempted to mitigate the severity of the case, suggesting that there was no evidence of physical exposure, only that the girl had heard what was happening. Elvidge described the proceedings as a “very public humiliation” for Gill and expressed that the impact on his reputation and personal life had been devastating. He stated that Gill’s reputation had been “destroyed,” and his professional career as an optician had suffered a “catastrophic” blow. The lawyer also mentioned that the incident had caused strain in Gill’s marriage, although there had been some reconciliation, and he maintained contact with his son.

Elvidge further conveyed Gill’s remorse, emphasizing that he felt “sick at the prospect of custody” and would do anything to avoid incarceration, which he believed would weigh heavily on him. Despite the circumstances, the court’s decision reflected the seriousness of the offense, and Gill was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for a decade, ensuring close monitoring of his activities moving forward.