'Dangerous' Pickering Child Sex Offender Jailed for 22 Years

An 84-year-old man has been jailed for over 22 years for sexually abusing two young children.

David John Hampshire, 84, of Pickering, North Yorkshire was jailed for 22 years and 8 months, and put on the sex offenders register for life.

The incidents were reported in December 2022, when the first victim told their parents about the abuse, which took place over an eight-year period, starting when they were five-years-old and continuing until they were 13.

During the investigation, it transpired that Hampshire had sexually abused another younger child when they were three, who had reported the abuse at the time, however Hampshire was not prosecuted at that stage.

Speaking after the sentencing on Tuesday 13 May at York Crown Court, Detective Constable Lucie Welford of North Yorkshire Police’s Safeguarding Investigation Team said: 

"Hampshire is an incredibly dangerous offender who has caused huge suffering to the victims and their families and has shown absolutely no remorse for the horrendous abuse he inflicted.

“I would like to praise the victims for their bravery and for supporting the investigation throughout, helping to ensure that Hampshire was brought to justice. Hopefully today's sentencing brings them an element of closure, and they can begin to move forward with their lives.”

The court heard how during his career Hampshire had been a headteacher at an Anglo-Indian school in India before working as a teacher at a high school in Norfolk, UK.

Speaking about the length of time that has passed since the offences took place, Detective Constable Welford continued: 

“This case demonstrates that no matter when the abuse occurred, it is no barrier to justice. We are absolutely committed to bringing those responsible for such offences before the court, regardless of how much time has passed.

“We would urge any victims of sexual abuse, no matter when it happened, and even if you have never reported it to the police, to come forward. Our specially trained officers will listen, investigate, and work alongside partners to offer you the support you need.”

In his personal statement, the older victim described how the abuse had caused them to “fall into a numbness” that hindered them from making healthy normal relationships with people.

Their mother also described how the abuse has had a “huge” and “lasting” effect on her child and how she has spent many sleepless nights worrying about them.

The other victim spoke about how what Hampshire did to them affected “every aspect” of their life, “from childhood to now” and how the memories of what happened still haunt them.

After the incidents were reported, Hampshire was arrested, and following a long and complex investigation by North Yorkshire Police, which took officers seven months alone to examine the material on Hampshire’s computer, he was charged with the following offences:

• Four counts of rape of a child under 13
• Three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration
• Two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
• One count of sexual activity with a child
• One court of indecent assault on a male person 

He denied the offences but changed his plea to guilty in April this year.

North Yorkshire Police offer the following advice

If you are a victim of child abuse, regardless of when the abuse happened, or if you are worried for the safety or wellbeing of a child, find out in the comments below all the different ways you can get in touch.

Even if you’re not 100 per cent sure, please report your concerns. Your information could help our trained officers and staff protect the child.

If you suspect someone is in immediate danger, call 999 now. If it isn’t an emergency, please get in touch in any of these other ways

• call our non-emergency, 24/7 number: 101. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101
• visit a police station to speak to an officer in person
• contact the NSPCC to speak to a professional practitioner
• contact the children's social care team at your local council
• contact Fearless confidentially and anonymously

If you’re a child, you could also speak to someone you trust, like a friend, a teacher or another adult.

If you’re a professional working with children, remember you have a responsibility to refer your concerns to Children’s Social Care through your local council.

After you report child abuse to use, uniformed officers may take an initial report, after which specialist detectives may investigate. They'll explain in detail what will happen next.

Neither you or the child will be forced to do anything you're not comfortable with. However, we will always take action if we think a child is at risk of further harm.

The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme lets you formally ask the police whether someone who has contact with a child or children:

• has a record for child sexual offences
• poses a risk to the child or children for some other reason

It's not a law, but it is sometimes called ‘Sarah's Law’.

Visit ‘How to report possible child abuse’ on North Yorkshire Police’s website for more information.