Lincoln pensioner admits sexual offences against children at crown court hearing

A pensioner faces a lengthy jail sentence after he admitted sexual offences against three children, including raping a girl aged under 16.

Barrie Hall, 82, of St Andrew's Gardens in Lincoln pleaded guilty to nine sexual offences against three different victims when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court today (April 10).

They included raping a girl aged under 16, four charges of indecent assault against the same victim and one charge of gross indecency.

Those offences occurred between September 1982 and October 1990.

Hall also admitted sexually assaulting a second girl aged under 13 between June 2014 and June 2018 and sexually assaulting a third girl aged under 13 between September 2018 and January 2024.

He also pleaded guilty to a ninth charge of causing or inciting a girl aged under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Edna Leonard, prosecuting, asked for the sentence to be adjourned so impact statements can be taken from the three victims. They cannot be named to protect their anonymity.

Anna Soubry, defending, asked for Hall to be granted bail so he could get his financial affairs in order before he is jailed.

Miss Soubry said: "The sentence is inevitable. He knows at his age there is every chance he will never be released from prison.

"He says it will take him six weeks to get his affairs sorted."

The court heard Hall had entered his guilty pleas on a basis that he ceased his abuse of the victims when he was asked to stop.

"In his police interview he made full admissions," Miss Soubry added.

Judge Peter Kelson KC granted Hall bail until May 16 when he will be sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court.

"You know you are facing a lengthy sentence of imprisonment but I am going to allow you time to put your financial affairs in order," Judge Kelson told Hall.