CHAPELTOWN ICE HOCKEY STAR TOM SQUIRES JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN SHEFFIELD AND HULL

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Sheffield and Hull, former professional ice hockey player Tom Squires, aged 26, has been sentenced to over five years in prison after admitting to multiple serious child sex offences. The court proceedings revealed that Squires, who once played for the Hull Stingrays, engaged in a disturbing pattern of grooming and sexual misconduct involving young girls under the age of 16.

According to court records, Squires was responsible for five separate victims, whose identities are protected for legal reasons. The offences, which spanned from 2011 to 2016, included four counts of inciting sexual activity with a minor and one count of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. These heinous acts took place during his tenure with the Hull Stingrays, a team that was operational until 2015 before going into liquidation and being replaced by the Hull Pirates.

Details of the case indicate that Squires targeted his victims through social media platforms, where he requested explicit images and used his perceived authority and influence to groom the girls sexually. Witnesses and police reports described him as a “predatory” offender, exploiting his position and the trust placed in him by vulnerable minors.

His criminal activities came to light after investigations that uncovered his manipulative tactics. The victims, who cannot be named publicly, recounted how Squires used his “power” to coerce and groom them, some of which occurred during his playing career with the Hull Stingrays between 2012 and 2014. The revelations have cast a shadow over his once-promising career, which included being a top prospect and representing Great Britain in ice hockey.

In January 2014, Squires was released from the Hull Stingrays by team manager Bobby McEwan. The decision followed a serious health incident where Squires suffered a blood clot in his eye after being struck with a hockey puck. Despite his injury and subsequent release, Squires’s misconduct was not publicly known until now.

During the trial, Squires’s former club and teammates expressed concern over the impact of his actions. A source from the club told the Sheffield Star that his performance had been affected by external pressures, including fans’ comments calling him a “superstar,” which may have contributed to his behavior. Squires, who hails from Chapeltown near Sheffield, has denied the allegations but has pleaded guilty to the charges.

He is scheduled to appear before Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday, March 7, for sentencing. The court has heard that the offences took place primarily within the Sheffield area, but the investigation also confirmed that some incidents occurred in Hull, where the Stingrays were based. The case has garnered significant media attention, highlighting the serious nature of the crimes committed by a once-celebrated athlete in the local sports community.