Man wanted by FBI guilty of UK child sex offence

James Hemphill was born in Scotland and moved to the US, where he was convicted of molesting a teenager

A 67-year-old man who was once on the FBI’s most wanted list has been convicted of a child sex offence in the UK.

James Hemphill was placed on the FBI wanted list for ten years after admitting a child sex office in the US in 1994.

He fled to Scotland before he could be sentenced, but offended again by contacting a teenage girl in Kettering in 2022.

Northamptonshire Police say the victim showed "courage far beyond her years" by coming forward.

James Hemphill is understood to have been born in Scotland but then settled in the US, where he pleaded guilty to molesting a teenager in 1994.

He evaded the FBI for ten years before being arrested in 2004 and sentenced to four years in prison.

James Hemphill was on the FBI most wanted list for 10 years after fleeing the country

The Daily Record reported in 2010 that he had been deported back to Scotland on release.

The newspaper said that his brother feared he would strike again.

Northamptonshire said he was living in Kettering by the end of 2022, where he contacted a teenage girl and asked her if she wanted him to buy her some underwear.

He then asked if she liked adult toys and if she wanted them both to share a bed.

The police said the victim "bravely confided in a family member and Hemphill’s offending was reported".

James Hemphill was convicted at Northampton Crown Court and will be sentenced there

Hemphill, of Houghton Conquest near Bedford, was arrested and charged with one count of causing or inciting a girl aged between 13 and 15 to engage in sexual activity and one count of failing to comply with Sex Offenders’ Register requirements.

He was convicted on both counts after a trial at Northampton Crown Court on 18 June and will be sentenced there in September.

The lead investigator, Det Con Andy Wakling, said the victim had “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".