Background
In the so called Hampstead Paedophile Hoax case, solicitor Yair Cohen represented a mother whose life was devastated by an online harassment campaign led by Sabine McNeill, a 75-year-old pensioner. McNeill falsely accused this mother, along with others whose children attended primary school in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, of being part of a secret satanic cult involved in torturing babies and drinking their blood. McNeill backed her claims by circulating videos of two young children, aged 8 and 9, who had been manipulated by their mother, Ella Draper. The children were coerced into making false allegations against their father, claiming he was the leader of a Hampstead-based rape ring that murdered trafficked babies. These false accusations were rooted in a bitter divorce dispute between Draper and the children’s father.
McNeill’s campaign extended beyond accusations. She publicly named and shamed innocent mothers, revealing their employers and targeting their businesses. The harassment was so severe that many families were forced into hiding, with some even changing their names to escape the attacks. The campaign gained international traction, particularly among conspiracy theorists in the United States, which further amplified the danger to the victims.
Key issues: defamation, breach of privacy and CPS refusal to prosecute a clear case of harassment
The central issue in the Hampstead Paedophile Hoax case was the persistent refusal by two separate police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to investigate and prosecute, leaving an entire community devastated. This reflected a careless approach by the CPS, which prioritised free speech over the safety of individuals, even when children and parents were placed at significant risk.
McNeill’s false accusations caused severe reputational damage, branding innocent people as satanic child abusers. This defamation not only affected the mothers but also instilled fear and anxiety in their children and the broader community. Harassment was another key issue, as McNeill’s campaign of naming and shaming, combined with the spread of defamatory content, forced some families to live in constant fear, relocate, or change their identities to escape targeting.
The CPS’s refusal to prosecute, despite the clear danger to the victims, was a major concern. The Metropolitan Police initially treated the harassment as a civil matter rather than a criminal one, influenced by CPS social media prosecution policy under Keir Starmer who at the time was Director of Public Prosecutions. This policy suggested that social media harassment should only be prosecuted in exceptional cases, even as individuals were being named and targeted, escalating the threat to their safety.
Outcome of the Hampstead Paedophile Hoax case
Despite multiple refusals from criminal justice authorities to investigate the Hampstead Paedophile Hoax case, Yair Cohen took on the case, representing one mother severely affected by the false allegations. He provided pro bono legal support, helping with the drafting appeals to the police, CPS, and eventually directly to the DPP, urging them to investigate the harassment.
Following the mother’s persistent efforts, assisted by Yair Cohen, the DPP finally ordered a review by a QC who eventually ordered the police to reopen the investigation against McNeill. Cohen assisted the mother in providing critical witness statements and evidence, leading to the CPS initiating a prosecution. On 14 December 2018, McNeill was convicted after a trial at Southwark Crown Court. She was sentenced on 10 January 2019 to nine years in prison by Judge Cahill QC, marking the longest prison term ever imposed for harassment in the UK.
Significance of the case of Hampstead Paedophile Hoax
The conviction of Sabine McNeill in the case of Hampstead Paedophile Hoax case, set a vital legal precedent in the UK, demonstrating that online harassment, particularly when life-threatening, is a serious criminal offence. The nine-year sentence underscored the severity of McNeill’s actions and sent a clear message that such behaviour would not be tolerated.
This case also challenged the CPS’s policy on prosecuting social media harassment, showing that the threshold for what constitutes an “exceptional case” required re-evaluation. The persistence of the victim and her legal representation ultimately forced the authorities to take action, paving the way for future cases to be treated with greater urgency.
The case highlighted the profound impact that false accusations and online harassment can have on individuals and communities. The targeted mother, her children, and the broader community were deeply affected, and while the legal outcome provided some justice, it also underscored the need for better protections against such abuse.
Furthermore, the case demonstrated how online harassment can quickly gain international traction, especially among conspiracy theorists. This highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation in addressing internet-based harassment and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable, regardless of where the harassment originates.
Lessons learned from the case
This case exposed the devastating consequences of the CPS’s policy, which prioritised free speech over the protection of the public from harassment and real physical threats. The policy’s failure to act in a timely manner came at a huge cost to the victims, who were left vulnerable to prolonged abuse. It serves as a critical reminder of the importance of balancing free speech with the need to protect individuals and communities from harm.
The case also underscores the importance of perseverance. Despite the initial refusals from the police and CPS to investigate, Yair Cohen’s persistence led to a successful prosecution. This highlights the need for victims to seek legal support if they believe the authorities have neglected their duties. Never give up in the face of injustice—pursue every available avenue to ensure that the legal system provides the protection and justice you deserve.
Daily Mail
Brought to you by MailOnline