MICHAEL HALE – BARNTON, NORTHWICH

Barnton ex-soldier jailed for trying to rape girl aged 9

A man from Barnton has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences involving a child.

Michael Hale appeared at Chester Crown Court where he was jailed for eight years. The sentence includes an extended one-year licence period, and the court heard he must serve two-thirds of the custodial term before he can be considered for parole.

Hale was found guilty of attempted rape, sexual assault, and offences relating to causing a child under 16 and under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences came to light more than a decade after they occurred, when the victim disclosed the abuse during counselling.

The court was told that Hale was in his early twenties at the time of the most serious offence. Evidence presented during the trial detailed inappropriate sexual behaviour towards a young child on more than one occasion. It was also heard that several years earlier, as a teenager, he had sexually assaulted another underage girl.

Hale initially denied the allegations but later changed his plea in relation to one victim. A jury subsequently found him guilty of the remaining charges.

Sentencing him, His Honour Judge Simon Berkson described the lead offence as extremely serious. In addition to the prison term, Hale was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life. He was also banned from working with children and prohibited from contacting either victim unless permitted by a future court order.

In mitigation, the defence referred to Hale’s mental and physical health difficulties. However, the court determined that the severity of the offences warranted a substantial custodial sentence.

The case was investigated by Cheshire Constabulary and prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service.