Judge found guilty of misconduct for offering to pay for teenager's fine for stabbing abuser

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC refused at Bradford Crown Court to jail a 15-year-old girl. Photo / 123RF

A judge who offered to pay a teenager's fine for stabbing her paedophile abuser has been found guilty of misconduct.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC refused at Bradford Crown Court to jail a 15-year-old girl for nearly killing her tormentor, 56, by stabbing him near the heart.

He told the girl not to pay the mandatory victim surcharge, adding: "If anyone tries to force you, I will pay it myself."

The court heard the girl stabbed her abuser six years after he walked free from court despite assaulting her when she was eight, reports Daily Mail.

Prosecutor Heather Gilmore said she had been "destroyed" when her abuser was not jailed, reports The Times.

Giving her a two-year youth rehabilitation order for grievous bodily harm, the judge said: 'It would be a disgrace to send a survivor like you to prison'.

He added: "It is self evident that this offence was caused by, and solely relates to, the impact of the offending upon you when you were eight. I hope to be able to help you."

The judge was investigated by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office which issued him "formal advice", the lowest form of sanction.

In a statement it said: "The lord chancellor and the lord chief justice considered this failed to demonstrate impartiality, and that his comment amounted to misconduct."