WILLIAM HANNA AND DIANNE WHITEHOUSE SHOCKING CRIMES IN ACOCKS GREEN AND CANNOCK

In a disturbing series of criminal cases spanning Birmingham and Cannock, the lives of several young victims have been profoundly affected by the actions of convicted sex offenders William Hanna, Dianne Whitehouse, and Ian McGlasson. These individuals, each with a history of heinous crimes against minors, have left a trail of trauma and betrayal that continues to resonate within their communities.

In September 2016, a female victim, known publicly as Paula (not her real name), revealed the distressing reality of her situation. She disclosed that a female paedophile, who had been imprisoned for abusing her, was now residing just streets away from her in Birmingham. This individual, Whitehouse, had been released early from her six-year sentence and was living in close proximity, raising fears and concerns for Paula’s safety. The victim recounted how Whitehouse had allegedly been goading her on Facebook, even after her release, by publicly stating her intention to 'bump into' Paula, which added to her ongoing sense of vulnerability.

Paula expressed her frustration and anger, stating, "She was actually released about a year ago and contacted the UK and Ireland Paedophile Database asking them to take her name off their site. I later learned from the people who run the database that she had said online that she now lives near me and is looking forward to ‘bumping into me’." Despite her efforts to seek help, police reportedly told her there was little they could do unless Whitehouse took direct action against her, even though she was living so close. Paula emphasized that she was not informed of Whitehouse’s early release, which she believed was a serious oversight.

The background of these crimes is equally disturbing. Paula met William Hanna, a schoolteacher from Acocks Green, at a Birmingham hotel after being groomed and sexually assaulted by Ian McGlasson, a man from Stratford-upon-Avon. Hanna then introduced her to Whitehouse, and together they subjected her to further abuse. Paula described the ordeal as violent, forceful, and threatening. She also revealed that Whitehouse claimed to be a horse riding instructor and suggested that a relative of hers, who worked for an escort agency, had offered her a job, which she was told she could do for Whitehouse instead.

Her abuse began when she was just 13 years old, after being abducted near her school. The man accused of raping her later took his own life when police arrested him. Subsequently, McGlasson groomed her via Facebook, and over the following two years, he repeatedly assaulted her and forced her to meet other paedophiles. Hanna, from Acocks Green, was convicted of three counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of causing or inciting involvement in pornography, resulting in a seven-year prison sentence. Whitehouse, from Cannock, was found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of causing or inciting involvement in pornography. McGlasson, from Stratford-upon-Avon, pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming, and possession of indecent photographs of a child. He was sentenced to six years in prison. All three offenders were ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Further details emerged from a 2013 case where Hanna, Whitehouse, and McGlasson were sentenced for sexually exploiting a 15-year-old girl from Birmingham. Hanna, aged 63 at the time, and Whitehouse, aged 58, were convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault, with Hanna receiving a five-year sentence and Whitehouse a four-year sentence, both to run concurrently with additional terms. McGlasson, aged 47, pleaded guilty to ten charges, including sexual activity with a minor and possession of indecent images, and was sentenced to six years. The court highlighted the betrayal of trust and the exploitation of a vulnerable young girl, with Hanna and Whitehouse operating together at hotels in Birmingham city center, while McGlasson committed his offenses at his home in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The investigation was complex, involving online detective work and analysis of internet records. McGlasson was arrested first in June 2010, followed by Hanna and Whitehouse several months later. Hanna was suspended from his teaching position at Frankley Community High School and was later dismissed after charges were brought against him. The court heard harrowing details, including an incident where a stranger dressed in a cat suit engaged in sexual activity with the 15-year-old victim, who was not a pupil at Hanna’s school.

Inspector Sally Simpson, who led the investigation, emphasized the vulnerability of the young girl and the importance of encouraging victims to come forward. She stated, “This was a vulnerable young girl who had no idea what she was getting herself into. Tragically, because of her age and the fact she had been on internet chat rooms, she felt she could somehow be to blame for what happened to her.”

Judge Patrick Thomas QC sentenced Hanna to a total of seven years, Whitehouse to six years, and McGlasson to six years, with all three ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. Hanna and Whitehouse also received Sexual Offences Prevention Orders. The judge condemned their actions, highlighting how they exploited a child who was already deeply troubled and damaged, and how their abuse extended to live streaming, increasing the humiliation and degradation inflicted upon her.

The victims’ families have spoken out, with the mother of the girl expressing her horror and heartbreak. She revealed that she discovered the abuse after McGlasson sent her a Facebook message claiming to be her daughter’s boyfriend. She described the images she found online as “horrendous” and said the experience had left her permanently scarred. The mother also expressed outrage that Hanna had been a teacher during the time of the abuse, criticizing the school’s references and questioning how such a person could have been trusted with children.

Overall, these cases serve as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking online and the importance of vigilance and protective measures to safeguard vulnerable minors from predatory individuals. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of these revelations, hoping that justice has been served and that victims can begin to rebuild their lives.