SCOTT HILLMAN OF WOKING SENTENCED FOR REPEATED SEX OFFENCES IN SURREY

In June 2018, Scott Hillman, a 21-year-old man from Woking, was once again brought before the court to face serious allegations related to his history of sexual offenses involving vulnerable minors. Hillman, who was unemployed at the time, admitted to engaging in criminal conduct that included arranging to meet a child following acts of sexual grooming, as well as inciting a minor to participate in sexual activities. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about Hillman's online interactions and previous convictions, painting a troubling picture of a repeat offender with a pattern of predatory behavior.

According to court reports, Hillman had initiated contact with an online profile he believed belonged to a 14-year-old girl. Over the course of their digital communication, he sent sexually explicit messages, which included disturbing requests such as wanting to observe the girl while she was using the toilet. He also begged her to send indecent images, further demonstrating his intent to exploit the minor. However, the individual Hillman believed he was communicating with was actually an adult member of the online child protection team known as 'Hunting for Justice.'

Despite the team’s efforts to gather evidence, Hillman had arranged to meet what he thought was the underage girl. Recognizing the potential danger and Hillman’s autism, the 'Hunting for Justice' team decided to report their findings to Surrey police rather than intervene directly. This decision was made out of concern for Hillman’s mental health and to ensure proper legal procedures were followed.

In court, Hillman faced multiple charges, including arranging to meet a child following sexual grooming and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He pleaded guilty to both counts. The judge sentenced him to 15 months in prison for each charge, with the sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, Hillman was subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his activities and contact with minors. His time on the sex offenders register was also extended, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his behavior.

Hillman’s criminal history is extensive. In 2016, he was sentenced to three years after pleading guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a female under 16, involving two victims. Prior to that, in October 2015, he was acquitted by a jury of charges of rape and assault by penetration. His criminal record also includes a youth caution issued in January 2014 for attempting to persuade a nine-year-old boy via social media to expose himself. Police had also found indecent images of children on his computer at that time.

Further details of Hillman’s offending history reveal a pattern of targeting vulnerable individuals. In January 2016, he was sentenced to three years in a youth offenders’ institution for targeting underage girls in Hersham, near Walton, Surrey. The crimes took place in June 2014 when Hillman was 17 years old. Court proceedings detailed how Hillman made contact with one of his victims, a teenage girl with learning difficulties, through Facebook in May 2014. Despite the girl clearly stating her age, Hillman continued communication, and they eventually met in person. Their initial meeting was relatively benign, with Hillman merely placing his hand on her leg, but subsequent encounters escalated to sexual touching, including an incident where he touched a girl on her chest during a meeting in a park after a visit to a McDonald's.

The prosecutor, Daniel Fugallo, emphasized that Hillman’s actions demonstrated a pattern of grooming and exploitation of vulnerable minors. The court also noted that Hillman had previously been warned in October 2012 for possessing indecent images of children. Judge Stephen Climie addressed Hillman directly, highlighting the impact of his actions on the victims and expressing concern over Hillman’s limited understanding of sexual morality. The judge pointed out that Hillman’s mental health and potential danger to the public, especially to young women with autism or special needs, needed to be carefully managed.

In addition to his prison sentence, Hillman was ordered to adhere to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and to sign the sex offenders register upon release. He is also subject to a multi-agency public protection arrangement (MAPPA), which involves coordinated oversight by police, probation, and prison authorities to monitor and manage his risk of reoffending. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of Hillman’s offenses and the ongoing threat he poses to the community in Woking and beyond.