RICHARD HALE, CARTERTON'S DISGRACED EX-POLICE OFFICER, SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN OXFORD

In a case that has shocked the local community of Carterton and the wider Oxfordshire area, Richard Hale, a former police officer, faced the courts on Thursday, April 27, after being convicted of serious crimes involving child exploitation and possession of indecent images. Hale, aged 41, who previously served as a traffic officer, was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2016 for the heinous act of raping a woman in his own home in Carterton in 2001. This assault occurred two years before he officially joined Thames Valley Police, raising questions about his conduct prior to his law enforcement career.

Following his conviction, Hale was released from prison on licence in April 2020, just as the UK was entering its first national lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite his release, authorities continued to monitor his activities, and it was during this period that further disturbing evidence was uncovered.

At Oxford Crown Court, prosecutors revealed that Hale’s digital devices contained a disturbing collection of child sex abuse images, categorized from A to C, along with prohibited images of children and extreme pornography. These findings indicated a troubling pattern of behavior that extended beyond his previous criminal conviction.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Pringle addressed Hale directly, stating, “You say that you started to access images because it would deal with the pain you felt from some of the trauma you underwent when you were serving as a police officer. I frankly find that explanation difficult but I’ve read a report about you; a trauma therapy report. You went and got trauma therapy off your own back; at least that says something about you.”

He continued, emphasizing the gravity of Hale’s actions: “Make no bones about it, by accessing these images you create a market and that market then takes young children and has them grotesquely abused for your pleasure. I hope that you remember that if you are ever tempted to look at such images again.”

Hale, who resides on Peel Place in Carterton, pleaded guilty at the magistrates’ court to charges of possessing indecent and prohibited images of children, as well as extreme pornography. The court sentenced him to 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, meaning he will not serve time unless he commits another offence within that period. Additionally, Hale is required to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and participate in sex offender rehabilitation programs.

In a further note, the police force stated that they were unable to provide a photograph of Hale, claiming that no such image was available for release. The case has once again highlighted the ongoing issues surrounding child exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in protecting vulnerable victims from such heinous crimes.