Essex Man Jailed For Sex Assault In Northants
2 November 2018, 18:06 | Updated: 2 November 2018, 18:14
A 62 year-old man from Essex has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for engaging in sexual activity with a teenage girl while in a position of trust in Northamptonshire.
David Hallowell, of Milton Road, Westcliffe on Sea, pleaded guilty to four such charges earlier this year and was sentenced today (Friday, November 2) at Northampton Crown Court.
The offences took place in the early 2000s when Hallowell was a history teacher and head of year at Northamptonshire Grammar School, now known as Pitsford School.
Hallowell had groomed his victim despite being “a teacher in a position of trust and 30 years older than her”, the court heard.
The offences began when the victim was aged 16 and he was acting as her pastoral carer at the school.
The court was told how consensual relationship then followed up until the time the victim went to university, aged 18, but the offences were only reported to Northamptonshire Police in 2016.
In a Victim Impact Statement, the victim described the devastating impact the abuse has had:
"Someone I trusted and thought was my only friend at the time, took advantage to emotionally and sexually abuse me.
I kept this abuse secret for many years and thought this was the only way to deal with it. I was left with tremendous guilt that it was all my fault and if I had spoken out it would ruin his and his family’s life.
I thought I was managing quite well not to think about this part of my life, however it is always the darkest times, when I felt most lonely, that these feelings of disgust and disappointment resurface.
My marriage broke down and I then referred myself for psychological counselling. That was the first time I had spoken about the incident in such detail to anyone.
I am very glad that I have taken the steps to speak out about the abuse I endured, so that others who might have had the same experience know that this isn’t right.
I would like to thank all those who helped me throughout this process and, in particular, Det Sgt Brian Gape, of Northamptonshire Police, who has been so dedicated and kind.“
Sentencing Hallowell, Judge Ian Tregilgas-Davey said he had taken advantage of “somebody who had required his care and protection”.
He added:
"The line between a teacher and a student is sacrosanct and cannot be crossed. You knew that and were an experienced teacher but cross that line you did, on more than one occasion."
DS Gape, who led the investigation which resulted in today’s sentencing, said:
"I’d like to commend the victim for her bravery and for taking the huge step of reporting what happened all those years ago.
Hallowell is behind bars, where he should be, and will now have time to reflect on his crimes and how he abused his position of trust in the most callous way, for his own sexual gratification and with no thought to the devastating damage he was inflicting on the victim.
This case demonstrates how Northamptonshire Police are fully committed to tackling sexual abuse. No matter how long ago the abuse took place, we encourage anyone who has been a victim to contact us on 101 or via Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.
We will always thoroughly investigate every allegation and do all we can to bring offenders to justice when they may well feel they have ‘got away with it’ because of the passage of time."
