Former hospital radio DJ jailed for sex offences

Adrian Phipps was sentenced at York Crown Court on Tuesday

A former hospital radio DJ has been jailed for four years for historic sex offences against a teenage boy and making indecent images of a child.

Adrian Phipps, 66, of Station View, Harrogate, was sentenced at York Crown Court on Tuesday after a jury found him guilty of two counts of indecent assault on 11 July.

Phipps was working as a DJ at Harrogate District Hospital when the assaults took place at a shop in the town in 1995.

Judge Simon Hickey said he was "cunning and calculated" in the way he targeted his victim.

"You went round various shops and targeted this young man as you knew he was on his own," he said while passing sentence.

"You were known as a bit of a joker. It is clear you were planning this as you waited for an opportunity to approach the victim in a jokey way."

Judge Hickey noted that the victim had said in his statement to the court that the assaults had had a "monumental effect" on his life.

He had also turned to drinking as a coping mechanism over the years due to feeling "self-loathing and guilt".

'Couldn't stop him'

Judge Hickey added he had "only now been able to approach any semblance of normal life" since having the "great courage to come forward" and see Phipps held to account.

"I felt I couldn't speak out or stop him, he came across as charismatic and eccentric, but harmless," the victim added in his statement.

Phipps was arrested after the victim went to the police in 2021.

While searching his house and possessions, photos and videos of a different teenage boy performing sexual acts were found by officers on his phone.

Phipps pleaded guilty on 7 July of this year to a further three counts of making indecent images of a child.

During his trial, the jury found him not guilty of six other indecent assault charges.

A witness statement read out in court said Phipps also volunteered at the Royal Baths, which operated under the same hospital radio station at the time.

He would visit the younger disabled hospital visitors and take their music requests.

On Tuesday, Judge Hickey dismissed the defence's claims that Phipps was a vulnerable person and had believed the victims were at least 16 years of age.

Phipps was also told he was no longer allowed to work with vulnerable people or children following his previous employment in a hospital environment.

Speaking after the sentencing today, Det Con Becky Townsend of North Yorkshire Police said she "wanted to commend the strength and bravery of the victim".

She added: "Although Phipps' crimes were committed around 30 years ago, they were treated with the same seriousness as if they were committed yesterday.

"Phipps denied his offences from the outset and has shown no remorse for the harm he inflicted."

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