PHILLIP AUKER'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN HULL: A TALE OF PREDATION AND JUSTICE
In July 2019, a disturbing case unfolded involving Phillip Auker, a man whose actions have left a profound impact on his victims and the community of Hull.Auker, who was already on bail for previous offenses, was ultimately caught in a dramatic confrontation outside his residence after attempting to contact what he believed to be a 12-year-old girl through online messaging platforms.
His predatory behavior and the subsequent legal proceedings have drawn widespread condemnation and highlighted the ongoing dangers posed by online sexual predators.
Initially, Auker's criminal activities came to light between March and June of 2017, when he engaged in sending explicit and inappropriate messages to a teenage girl.
These messages included requests for her to perform sexual acts on him and invitations for her to sleep in his bed.
The victim’s mother discovered the messages while inspecting her daughter’s phone, which led to police involvement.
Prosecutor Simon Reevell detailed the nature of the messages, stating that the victim felt uncomfortable and disturbed by Auker’s communications.
He recounted that Auker had explicitly asked her if she wanted to sleep with him, saying, “I will sleep with nothing on haha,” and inquired about her interactions with boys or men, asking, “Did you let him play with you?
Did you like it?” As the messages progressed, Auker’s language became increasingly sexualized, with him asking the girl to see her with no clothes on and inviting her to masturbate, even asking her to masturbate him.
These actions demonstrated a clear pattern of grooming and exploitation.
When police arrested Auker on June 28, he refused to comment during interviews and denied any contact with the complainant.
An investigation into his computer revealed searches for pornography that suggested a sexual interest in children.
The victim and her family attended the sentencing hearing, where her powerful statement was read aloud by Mr.
Reevell.
She described the emotional toll the abuse had taken on her, including self-harm and an overdose attempt.
She also labeled Auker as “the evil in this world,” emphasizing the profound and lasting damage caused by his actions.
Despite his guilty plea, Auker’s criminal behavior did not cease.
While on bail, in May of the same year, he initiated contact with a different girl, again believing her to be 12 years old.
This time, he engaged in similar sexually explicit messaging via a decoy profile created by paedophile hunters.
Auker asked if she had seen a boy’s genitals and if she had breasts, expressing a desire to see her in her school uniform and bra.
He also discussed sexual activities involving a woman, encouraging her to touch herself.
This second incident led to his arrest on May 20, where he again refused to comment during police interviews and was formally charged with attempting to incite a minor into sexual activity.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge David Tremberg addressed Auker directly, condemning his actions and the development of his sexual interests in young girls.
The judge highlighted the disturbing nature of Auker’s persistent attempts to contact minors despite their clear lack of encouragement.
He expressed concern over what might have happened if the victims had responded differently and emphasized the serious emotional harm inflicted upon them.
Judge Tremberg sentenced Auker to a minimum of five years in prison, with a further two and a half years on license.
Auker will also be subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and will be registered as a sex offender for life.
The judge underscored the deep and enduring emotional damage caused to the victims, particularly the first girl, whose life has been profoundly affected by Auker’s predatory conduct.
The court’s decision aims to serve both as punishment and a deterrent, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable children from such dangerous individuals in the community of Hull.
