PAUL ATKINS FROM DEAL SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE OFFENSES IN CANTERBURY

In December 2017, a disturbing case involving Paul Atkins, a resident of Deal, came to light through a series of criminal acts that shocked the local community and prompted a police investigation. The case centered around Atkins' heinous actions involving the exploitation and abuse of underage girls, which he carried out in secret and with malicious intent.

It was revealed that Atkins had secretly filmed teenagers while they were in the shower, an act that constitutes a serious invasion of privacy and a grave violation of the victims' rights. This disturbing behavior was uncovered during the course of the investigation, which also revealed that Atkins had been engaging in inappropriate online communications with young girls. Specifically, he had sent suggestive messages via social media platforms to at least one young girl, asking her for explicit photos and making inappropriate advances. Despite his efforts to contact her, the girl chose not to respond but instead confided in a friend about the messages she received. Her report to the authorities subsequently triggered a police investigation into Atkins' activities.

Further scrutiny of Atkins' mobile device during his arrest in 2015 uncovered illegal footage and still images involving two underage girls. This evidence confirmed the suspicions of law enforcement officers and solidified the case against him. Atkins, aged 37 at the time, was taken into custody and faced multiple charges related to child exploitation and abuse.

On December 12, 2017, Atkins appeared before Canterbury Crown Court, where he was convicted on several counts. His convictions included two counts of causing a girl to engage in sexual activity, three counts of making indecent images of a child, and one count of engaging in sexual activity with a child. The court sentenced him to a prison term of five years and four months, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the impact on his victims. The case served as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and protective measures against those who seek to exploit vulnerable minors in communities like Deal and beyond.