JOHN THOMPSON'S SHOCKING CASE IN HARTLEPOOL: SEX OFFENDER ESCAPES PRISON AFTER BLAMING 7-YEAR-OLD VICTIM
| Red Rose Database
Hartlepool Sexual Abuser
In a highly controversial and emotionally charged case that has sparked outrage across Hartlepool, 61-year-old John Thompson was recently spared immediate imprisonment after being convicted of sexual assault involving a young girl. The incident, which took place in Hartlepool, has raised serious concerns about the justice system’s handling of cases involving vulnerable children and the rehabilitation of sex offenders.
Thompson, a former brewery worker residing on Glastonbury Walk in Hartlepool, appeared before Teesside Crown Court to face charges related to an incident involving a seven-year-old girl. The court heard that police were called in January of the previous year after the girl’s grandmother discovered inappropriate behavior by Thompson. The details of the case revealed a disturbing account of grooming and assault, with the prosecution describing how Thompson claimed the girl had initiated the sexual contact.
Prosecutor Tina Dempster outlined the events, stating, “He indicated that her behavior towards him was sexualized and essentially was flirting with him and coming onto him. He described an incident whereby he was sitting on the bed, she came towards him, sat astride him, pushed him down and forced her tongue into his mouth.”
A probation report further detailed that Thompson had groomed the girl, who was described as needing attention and tactile. However, Thompson’s defense argued that the young girl had instigated the contact, with his barrister Tamara Pawson asserting, “He accepts that he should have stopped her there, rather than reciprocating and kissing her back. But it cannot be said he had an intention to exploit or groom a vulnerable young girl.”
During police interviews, Thompson admitted to the assault, stating, “I knew it was wrong, but somehow our mouths became open. I could not push her off.” Following the court proceedings, Thompson expressed remorse, telling The Northern Echo, “I regret it and can assure everyone that nothing like this will ever, ever happen again.”
Judge Gillian Matthews delivered her verdict, acknowledging Thompson’s good character and guilty plea. She sentenced him to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to undergo supervision by the probation service. Additionally, Thompson was placed on the sex offenders’ register, prohibited from having unsupervised contact with girls under 16, and mandated to attend a specialized treatment program.
The judge emphasized the importance of rehabilitation, noting, “You are a man of good character and that is an important feature in the sentencing assessment, and also you have pleaded guilty.” However, the decision to suspend the sentence has ignited fierce criticism from children’s charities and child protection advocates. Peter Saunders, chief executive of the National Association of People Abused in Childhood, condemned the ruling, stating, “It is outrageous that he got a non-custodial sentence. The man is clearly a danger to society, and particularly to children, and shame on the judge for passing what we consider is such a despicable sentence.”
Child protection organizations like Kidscape also voiced their disapproval, asserting that it was unacceptable for an adult to claim that a seven-year-old girl made sexual advances he could not prevent. They stressed that the responsibility lies with the adult, regardless of the child’s behavior, and called for more stringent measures to protect vulnerable children.
This case has also highlighted ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of prison-based treatment programs for sex offenders. A recent national report by prisons and probation inspectorates revealed that many facilities fail to provide adequate rehabilitation, with one in three sex offenders not receiving any treatment and a quarter not even undergoing a serious risk assessment. The Hartlepool case underscores the urgent need for improved systems to prevent reoffending and ensure the safety of children in the community.
Thompson, a former brewery worker residing on Glastonbury Walk in Hartlepool, appeared before Teesside Crown Court to face charges related to an incident involving a seven-year-old girl. The court heard that police were called in January of the previous year after the girl’s grandmother discovered inappropriate behavior by Thompson. The details of the case revealed a disturbing account of grooming and assault, with the prosecution describing how Thompson claimed the girl had initiated the sexual contact.
Prosecutor Tina Dempster outlined the events, stating, “He indicated that her behavior towards him was sexualized and essentially was flirting with him and coming onto him. He described an incident whereby he was sitting on the bed, she came towards him, sat astride him, pushed him down and forced her tongue into his mouth.”
A probation report further detailed that Thompson had groomed the girl, who was described as needing attention and tactile. However, Thompson’s defense argued that the young girl had instigated the contact, with his barrister Tamara Pawson asserting, “He accepts that he should have stopped her there, rather than reciprocating and kissing her back. But it cannot be said he had an intention to exploit or groom a vulnerable young girl.”
During police interviews, Thompson admitted to the assault, stating, “I knew it was wrong, but somehow our mouths became open. I could not push her off.” Following the court proceedings, Thompson expressed remorse, telling The Northern Echo, “I regret it and can assure everyone that nothing like this will ever, ever happen again.”
Judge Gillian Matthews delivered her verdict, acknowledging Thompson’s good character and guilty plea. She sentenced him to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to undergo supervision by the probation service. Additionally, Thompson was placed on the sex offenders’ register, prohibited from having unsupervised contact with girls under 16, and mandated to attend a specialized treatment program.
The judge emphasized the importance of rehabilitation, noting, “You are a man of good character and that is an important feature in the sentencing assessment, and also you have pleaded guilty.” However, the decision to suspend the sentence has ignited fierce criticism from children’s charities and child protection advocates. Peter Saunders, chief executive of the National Association of People Abused in Childhood, condemned the ruling, stating, “It is outrageous that he got a non-custodial sentence. The man is clearly a danger to society, and particularly to children, and shame on the judge for passing what we consider is such a despicable sentence.”
Child protection organizations like Kidscape also voiced their disapproval, asserting that it was unacceptable for an adult to claim that a seven-year-old girl made sexual advances he could not prevent. They stressed that the responsibility lies with the adult, regardless of the child’s behavior, and called for more stringent measures to protect vulnerable children.
This case has also highlighted ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of prison-based treatment programs for sex offenders. A recent national report by prisons and probation inspectorates revealed that many facilities fail to provide adequate rehabilitation, with one in three sex offenders not receiving any treatment and a quarter not even undergoing a serious risk assessment. The Hartlepool case underscores the urgent need for improved systems to prevent reoffending and ensure the safety of children in the community.