PAUL ABBOTT FROM BROMSGROVE JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF VULNERABLE 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN WARWICK
| Red Rose Database
Bromsgrove Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Paul Abbott, a 54-year-old man from Bromsgrove, was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of grooming and sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl with severe learning difficulties. The incident, which took place in Warwick, highlights the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilance when it comes to protecting vulnerable young people.
According to court proceedings, Abbott, who resides on Rock Hill in Bromsgrove, engaged in a series of inappropriate communications with the underage girl via the internet. The girl, who had a mental age estimated to be around nine or ten years old due to her learning disabilities, initially reached out to Abbott after randomly searching for a name on Facebook. This seemingly innocent act led to a disturbing series of events that culminated in physical meetings and sexual abuse.
Prosecutor Matthew Brook detailed that Abbott exploited the girl’s vulnerability by grooming her over a period of time. The court heard that Abbott arranged to meet the girl on four or five occasions during December 2015 and January of the following year. These meetings took place in Abbott’s car, some occurring after the girl had finished her school day, further emphasizing the predatory nature of his actions.
Concerns about the girl’s wellbeing arose when her mother, noticing her talking about having a boyfriend, contacted her social worker in February. Upon investigation, the mother discovered text messages of a sexual nature from Abbott on her daughter’s phone. When she attempted to contact Abbott, he falsely claimed to be only 18 years old. However, after reviewing his Facebook profile, she found that Abbott was actually 53 at the time, which prompted her to immediately alert the police.
Abbott was subsequently arrested. During police interviews, he chose to make no comment, a decision that his legal representative, Jamie Strong, explained was made on legal advice. Mr. Strong emphasized that Abbott’s criminal history did not include offenses of this nature and acknowledged the seriousness of his actions. He stated, “There is nothing in his antecedent history to show he had any predilection for offending in this way. The gravity of the offending is not lost on him. He knows he’s going to face a substantial custodial sentence.”
On February 24, Abbott appeared in court and pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including meeting a child following grooming, six counts of sexual activity with a child, and three counts of inciting her to perform sex acts. The judge, Richard Griffith-Jones, delivered a stern sentence, underscoring the risks associated with the internet and social media platforms.
Judge Griffith-Jones remarked, “For all the benefits of the internet and social media, this case illustrates the risks that can be associated with it. Here a young girl of 15, but who because of mental disability has a maturity of something like nine, came across you and you groomed her. You met her and you sexually abused her in the way you have admitted.”
He further highlighted Abbott’s age disparity and the vulnerability of the victim, noting that the offenses were not isolated incidents but occurred on multiple occasions. While acknowledging Abbott’s lack of prior convictions and his status as a hardworking family man, the judge emphasized the seriousness of the crimes.
In light of these factors, Abbott was sentenced to four years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order that restricts his contact with children under 16 and limits his internet use for the next ten years. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online grooming and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable young people from exploitation.
According to court proceedings, Abbott, who resides on Rock Hill in Bromsgrove, engaged in a series of inappropriate communications with the underage girl via the internet. The girl, who had a mental age estimated to be around nine or ten years old due to her learning disabilities, initially reached out to Abbott after randomly searching for a name on Facebook. This seemingly innocent act led to a disturbing series of events that culminated in physical meetings and sexual abuse.
Prosecutor Matthew Brook detailed that Abbott exploited the girl’s vulnerability by grooming her over a period of time. The court heard that Abbott arranged to meet the girl on four or five occasions during December 2015 and January of the following year. These meetings took place in Abbott’s car, some occurring after the girl had finished her school day, further emphasizing the predatory nature of his actions.
Concerns about the girl’s wellbeing arose when her mother, noticing her talking about having a boyfriend, contacted her social worker in February. Upon investigation, the mother discovered text messages of a sexual nature from Abbott on her daughter’s phone. When she attempted to contact Abbott, he falsely claimed to be only 18 years old. However, after reviewing his Facebook profile, she found that Abbott was actually 53 at the time, which prompted her to immediately alert the police.
Abbott was subsequently arrested. During police interviews, he chose to make no comment, a decision that his legal representative, Jamie Strong, explained was made on legal advice. Mr. Strong emphasized that Abbott’s criminal history did not include offenses of this nature and acknowledged the seriousness of his actions. He stated, “There is nothing in his antecedent history to show he had any predilection for offending in this way. The gravity of the offending is not lost on him. He knows he’s going to face a substantial custodial sentence.”
On February 24, Abbott appeared in court and pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including meeting a child following grooming, six counts of sexual activity with a child, and three counts of inciting her to perform sex acts. The judge, Richard Griffith-Jones, delivered a stern sentence, underscoring the risks associated with the internet and social media platforms.
Judge Griffith-Jones remarked, “For all the benefits of the internet and social media, this case illustrates the risks that can be associated with it. Here a young girl of 15, but who because of mental disability has a maturity of something like nine, came across you and you groomed her. You met her and you sexually abused her in the way you have admitted.”
He further highlighted Abbott’s age disparity and the vulnerability of the victim, noting that the offenses were not isolated incidents but occurred on multiple occasions. While acknowledging Abbott’s lack of prior convictions and his status as a hardworking family man, the judge emphasized the seriousness of the crimes.
In light of these factors, Abbott was sentenced to four years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order that restricts his contact with children under 16 and limits his internet use for the next ten years. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online grooming and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable young people from exploitation.