In a case that spanned decades, Philip Hall, a resident of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, faced justice for a heinous sexual assault committed against a five-year-old girl in the late 1980s. The incident occurred shortly after the young victim, Sara Potter, had been raped by her step-brother, Dennis Allen. Hall, who was a teenager at the time, entered Sara's bedroom along with Allen while she slept. As Allen carried out the rape, Hall stood at the foot of the bed with his hand inside his trousers, watching the assault unfold.
Once Allen had finished, Hall proceeded to touch the little girl inappropriately before both assailants left the room. This single incident involving Hall was part of a broader pattern of abuse inflicted on Sara by her step-brother over many years, though Hall's direct involvement was limited to this occasion. The crime remained hidden for years until Sara came forward, leading to legal proceedings against both perpetrators.
Hall was initially convicted of rape in relation to the incident and served 16 months in prison. However, this conviction was overturned on appeal, paving the way for a retrial. Hours before the retrial was set to begin, Hall pleaded guilty at Antrim Crown Court on 14 November 2025 to one count of sexual assault. Two additional charges—one of rape and one of indecent assault—were left on the books, meaning they were noted but not proceeded with. Due to the sentencing guidelines applicable in the late 1980s for historic cases, Hall received a lenient 12-month probation order rather than a custodial sentence.
Prosecuting KC Gavan Duffy detailed the events in court, emphasising that Sara was just five years old and asleep when the assault took place. Sara Potter, now an adult, waived her right to anonymity to ensure the full facts were disclosed to the public. Speaking to Belfast Live after the plea, she described Hall as a 'cruel liar' who had denied his actions for years, even after his initial conviction. 'Throughout this whole ordeal this sneaky and vindictive man has done all that he can to deny what has happened and now he has proved himself to be a cruel liar with his guilty plea,' she stated. Sara expressed relief at the guilty plea, hoping it would bring closure, while criticising the justice system for its challenges to victims, particularly in historic cases bound by outdated laws.
The case also highlighted the separate conviction of Dennis Allen in 2022 for a campaign of sexual abuse against Sara and her step-brother, including the initial rape. Allen's original 14-year sentence was reduced to 11 years on appeal. Sara's courage in speaking out underscores the possibility of achieving justice even after 30 years, encouraging other victims to come forward.