Sex Offender Jack Hall on the Run After Licence Breach
Police are hunting 64-year-old Jack Hall, a registered sex offender who broke his licence conditions after being released from prison.
Hall, whose real name is David Chadwick, was last seen catching a train from Havant around 2.30pm on Thursday, September 30, after buying a ticket to Southampton. He may have gotten off earlier or travelled further.
His description: white, 5ft 10in, medium build, blue eyes, possibly wearing glasses. Last spotted in a blue jacket and jeans, carrying a dark reusable Sports Direct bag.
Disturbing Past and Latest Crimes Revealed
Hall has a sickening 30-year history of sex offences. He has repeatedly been jailed in the UK and abroad, including the Netherlands, and is suspected of abusing a child in New Zealand.
Recently released from a seven-year prison term in January, Hall immediately reoffended, breaching a sexual harm prevention order that banned him from unsupervised contact with children.
At Portsmouth Crown Court, it emerged Hall befriended the mother of a six-year-old girl, gained their trust, and groomed the child. He bought her sweets and a book, ingratiating himself as a “close family friend” while hiding his vile past.
On one occasion, he took the girl alone to a shop and then played “inappropriately” with her in a field, disappearing into bushes for several minutes.
‘I Played Them Like Chess’ – Hall’s Chilling Boast
Hall grimly boasted in court: “I likened it to a game of chess. I’m not particularly going out of my way to court a friendship with the couple. I enjoyed their company. I’m very saddened by the way this has turned out.”
Despite his denials, jurors took just two hours and 27 minutes to convict Hall of breaching the sexual harm prevention order. He was sentenced to four years and six months behind bars and must sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
Judge William Ashworth condemned his actions: “The natural boundaries of a child had been eroded, and her parents had been eroded, by you in a very short space of time … your intention was to break down the barriers between you and the girl and her family so that you could sexually abuse her.”
Victim’s Mother Speaks Out
The girl’s mother said after the verdict: “In chess you play eight or nine moves ahead. It’s all about attack and he’s the leader going to attack his goal. We were pawns in his game.”
She welcomed the sentence as “strong” but feared Hall could be out in just two years, adding: “That’s what worries me.”
Ongoing Police Hunt and Public Warning
Detective Inspector Mark Carter urged the public to stay vigilant. Though Hall bought a ticket to Southampton, he may have got off sooner or travelled on further. We ask everyone to keep a lookout.”
Carter warned: “We do not believe he poses a risk to strangers. If you see him, do not approach. Call 999 immediately quoting incident 44210393610, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police continue extensive enquiries to find Hall.
