STEVE HULL FROM COVENTRY AND PRESTEIGNE CAUGHT IN DISTURBING ONLINE CHILD SEX CASE

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers lurking on the internet, Steven Hull, a man originally from Coventry and now residing in Presteigne, Powys, was brought before Coventry Crown Court to face serious allegations of online child exploitation. The court heard that Hull, aged 44 at the time of the incident, engaged in a calculated scheme to deceive a young girl into performing sexual acts, exploiting her innocence and trust.

Hull had assumed the identity of an 18-year-old male on various social media platforms, including Facebook, MySpace, and MSN Messenger. His profile was deliberately crafted with a false picture and fake identification, designed to appear as that of a young man. The victim, a 13-year-old girl at the time, believed she was communicating with an older boy, thinking he was 18. She was initially flattered by the attention and believed she was forming a genuine friendship with someone her age.

According to the prosecution, Jonathan Barker, Hull managed to establish a rapport with the girl through these online platforms, gradually building trust. The girl could see the false profile picture but was unaware of Hull’s true identity as an older man. The situation took a sinister turn when, during a conversation while she was at her grandparents’ house in 2009, Hull persuaded her to undress and perform sexual acts via MSN Messenger. Despite her protests, including telling him she had a boyfriend, Hull persisted in his manipulative tactics.

The court was told that Hull threatened to record the girl during the act and warned her that he would share the footage unless she fully undressed. This coercive behavior was part of a calculated effort to exploit her vulnerability and innocence. The girl’s parents were not present during the incident, which took place at her grandparents’ residence, making the case even more troubling.

During the hearing, Hull’s defense, represented by Richard Murray, emphasized the importance of rehabilitation, stating, “It’s a case primarily to focus on rehabilitation to make sure he doesn’t do it again.” However, the judge, Richard Griffith-Jones, did not hold back in his condemnation. He described Hull as a “revolting creepy man,” emphasizing the gravity of his actions.

Judge Griffith-Jones made it clear that the victim was a child in the early stages of sexual maturity, and Hull’s behavior was utterly despicable. The judge acknowledged Hull’s previous good character and the fact that he had pleaded guilty, noting that Hull did not physically touch the girl and that there was no intent to groom her in a traditional sense. Nonetheless, the judge expressed concern over the wider implications of such online behavior and the risks posed to children.

As part of his sentence, Hull was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and was given a community order. Additionally, he was ordered to pay costs amounting to £600 and will be placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers children face online and the importance of vigilance by parents and guardians to protect young people from predators hiding behind screens.