HULL COUSINS ROBERT HALDER AND MICHAEL SMITH SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In July 2014, Robert Halder, 47, and Michael Smith, 33, both from Hull, were convicted and sentenced for serious child sexual offenses involving a young boy. The court heard that the boy, who was under ten when the abuse began, confided in Halder about the abuse, hoping he would intervene. Instead, Halder joined in, abusing the boy over a period of six years. Smith admitted to ten child sex charges, including rape and breaching a sexual offences prevention order, while Halder pleaded guilty to 28 counts of sexual abuse, also including rape.

During police raids, authorities discovered troubling evidence. At Smith's home on Stroud Crescent East, Bransholme, investigators found a computer containing 2,285 indecent images, 12 of which were classified at the most severe level. Some images depicted the victim and Halder. The victim had reported to police that Smith had abused him and that Halder had also begun abusing him after he disclosed the initial abuse. When police searched Halder’s residence in Enstone Garth, Bransholme, they uncovered a video showing Halder with the boy, along with a total of 8,769 indecent images, 197 videos, and 46 categorized as the most serious type of child sexual abuse.

Smith told assessors from Humberside Probation Trust that he harbored a "high level of sexual preoccupation with boys aged between six and 15." The court heard that Smith had previously served an 11-month sentence in March 2011 for making indecent images of children.

On September 9 of the previous year, police visited Smith’s home, where he appeared "agitated" when asked about his computer. The examination revealed software designed to erase internet history. Further analysis confirmed the presence of 2,285 indecent images, including explicit images of the victim and Halder. Smith admitted to possessing these images, violating his prior sexual offences prevention order. The victim was located and interviewed in January, revealing his past abuse by Smith and that Halder had also begun abusing him around age nine, after he disclosed Smith’s abuse.

Following these disclosures, Halder was arrested on January 13. During investigation, officers recovered additional indecent images and a video of Halder with the boy, with the images totaling 8,769 files, many duplicated, and including 46 in the most serious category.

Both men faced the court with Smith pleading guilty to five charges of serious sexual offenses against a boy under 13, as well as possessing indecent images and breaching a court order. Halder admitted to 26 sexual offense counts and two counts of making indecent images. According to national sentencing guidelines, both could face sentences up to 19 years in prison. The case was adjourned until July 7, with the judge, Michael Mettyear, choosing to review sentencing options more thoroughly before finalizing the penalties, and both defendants were remanded in custody.