PHILIP HULL'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN BELFAST: PAEDOPHILE'S DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR AND ONLINE ACTIVITIES REVEALED
In December 2017, the High Court in Belfast refused bail to Philip Hull, a convicted sex offender with a disturbing self-assessment of his sexual interests, citing serious concerns over his potential to reoffend.Hull, aged 40, had previously been convicted in 2013 on 25 counts related to indecent photographs of children and had served time in prison.
His current situation involves allegations of breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order by deleting his browsing history, which included viewing indecent images of minors.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Hull had used his mobile phones to access illegal content.
After doing so, he reportedly panicked and handed over his devices to charity organizations, attempting to conceal his activities.
The police investigation uncovered that Hull had used a fake identity to contact young females online, raising further alarm about his intentions and behavior.
Authorities expressed particular concern over Hull’s visits to Belfast city center locations, specifically places where Santa’s grottos are set up during the festive season.
Hull admitted to police that he had visited Castle Court shopping mall and the Belfast Christmas Market, both of which feature Santa’s grotto attractions.
His own admission that his sexual interest in children is a level seven out of ten, on a scale of one to ten, compounded fears that he might target children during the holiday period.
Legal representatives argued against granting bail, emphasizing the risk of Hull’s potential reoffending.
Belfast’s High Court judge, Sir Richard McLaughlin, described releasing Hull as “totally irresponsible” and stated that “nobody in their right mind is going to give him bail,” underscoring the severity of the case and the danger posed by Hull’s continued freedom.
Further background details reveal Hull’s troubling history.
In July 2013, he was convicted of possessing a significant number of indecent images of children and was sentenced to one year in prison.
Despite being out on probation, Hull’s online activities have continued to raise alarms.
A member of the public reported seeing Hull using a Facebook profile under a false name, attempting to contact young women.
The profile, created in August 2014—more than a year after his conviction—features a picture of Hull in front of the Dark Hedges landmark in County Antrim and lists his hometown as Londonderry.
Notably, his friends list consists exclusively of young females, though it remains unclear whether any of these contacts are minors.
Concerns about Hull’s online behavior prompted the police to be notified.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has yet to comment publicly on the matter, but the case has sparked calls for a review of how Hull is monitored under probation.
Gregory Campbell, MP for East Londonderry, expressed shock at Hull’s continued online activity, especially after a recent trip to Portrush’s Barry’s Amusements, which was publicly funded and officially approved.
Campbell called for a comprehensive review of Hull’s supervision to prevent further incidents.
Hull’s probation status was set to last until 2017, and he was believed to have been employed at a recycling firm in Newtownabbey, though recent reports suggest he may now be unemployed.
In July, an undercover team from Sunday Life observed Hull engaging in reckless behavior at Barry’s Amusements, where he was seen fooling around on the dodgems and interacting with children, all while unaware that he was being watched.
This incident further highlighted the ongoing risks associated with Hull’s presence in the community.
Overall, the case of Philip Hull underscores the persistent dangers posed by convicted sex offenders who continue to engage in risky behaviors and online activities that could endanger children.
The authorities remain vigilant, emphasizing the importance of strict monitoring and intervention to protect the public, especially during the festive season when children are most vulnerable.
