Man once one of FBI's most wanted convicted over Kettering child sex offence
It happened in the town in 2022
A 67-year-old man who was once on the FBI’s most wanted list has been convicted of a child sex offence in Kettering.
James Hemphill, previously of Houghton Conquest, Bedford, was on the American law enforcement’s wanted list for ten years after he pleaded guilty to a child sex offence in America in 1994 but fled to Scotland before he could be sentenced.
After evading the FBI for ten years, he was finally arrested in 2004, returned to America and jailed. He was deported back to the United Kingdom in 2008 where he has been living ever since.
At the end of 2022, he was living in Kettering and offended again, contacting a teenage girl and asking her if she wanted him to buy her some underwear.
He also asked her if she wanted adult toys and if she wanted them to share a bed.
The girl in question confided in a family member and Hemphill’s offending was reported to Northamptonshire Police.
He was then arrested and subsequently charged with one count of causing/inciting a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity and one count of failing to comply with the notification requirements of being on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
Following a trial which ended at Northampton Crown Court on Monday, June 18, he was convicted on both counts.
He'll be sentenced in September.
Lead investigator - Detective Constable Andy Wakling, said:
“Firstly, I’d like to commend the young girl in this case. She has shown courage far beyond her years throughout the investigation and court process and I hope she feels proud that her bravery has ensured this man will pay for his crimes.
“I’d also like to thank the family member she confided in for reporting the offences to us and therefore allowing us to investigate and bring Hemphill to justice.
“Northamptonshire Police is dedicated to protecting the children in this county and I’d like to use this opportunity to encourage parents or guardians who have children making similar disclosures to them in the future, to please contact us."