PAUL BARRETT SENTENCED IN WYTENSHAWE FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES
A man named Paul Barrett was jailed for two years after an attempt to deceive a person he believed was a 13-year-old girl turned out to be an undercover police officer.
Barrett, 40 at the time of the incident, communicated online with a profile named 'Sasha' in January and February 2019, as heard in Bolton Crown Court proceedings.
Despite the profile claiming to be a 13-year-old in school, Barrett engaged in increasingly sexual conversations.
During their first chat, he asked if she liked being kissed and whether she wanted to perform sexual acts on him.
The following day, he asked questions about her school uniform and described sexual acts he wished to perform.
In a disturbing development, Barrett then sent a message with his phone number, requesting an opportunity to speak directly so he could 'hear her orgasm.' The police officer operating the fake profile called the number twice, but Barrett did not answer.
Barrett, from Nearcroft Road, Wythenshawe, was arrested in March 2019.
He denied the allegations during his police interview and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges under the Sexual Offences Act.
After a trial, the jury convicted him of sexual communication and three counts of attempting to induce a child to engage in sexual activity.
Defense lawyer Helen Longworth highlighted that Barrett has a supportive family, including a partner and two stepchildren, and was experiencing family problems and work-related stress at the time of the offences.
She also pointed out that Barrett, now 43, had no previous convictions and emphasized the lengthy delay between his arrest and the trial.
Judge Tom Gilbart sentenced Barrett to two years in prison.
He expressed disbelief at Barrett's actions, stating, "I find it utterly mind boggling to consider how a father could act in this way to a person he thought was a 13-year-old child." He further condemned the behaviour as "extremely serious, predatory conduct aimed at engaging a child in the most serious sexual activity." Barrett will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years and must also register as a sex offender for the same duration.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
ow 43, had no previous convictions and emphasized the lengthy delay between his arrest and the trial. Judge Tom Gilbart sentenced Barrett to two years in prison. He expressed disbelief at Barrett's actions, stating, "I find it utterly mi...
Prison sentence
two years
A man named Paul Barrett was jailed for two years after an attempt to deceive a person he believed was a 13-year-old girl turned out to be an undercover police officer
Prison sentence
two years
Judge Tom Gilbart sentenced Barrett to two years in prison
Sex Offenders Register
ten years
He expressed disbelief at Barrett's actions, stating, "I find it utterly mind boggling to consider how a father could act in this way to a person he thought was a 13-year-old child." He further condemned the behaviour as "extremely serious, predatory conduct aimed at engaging a child in the most serious sexual activity." Barrett will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years and must also register as a sex offender for the same duration
Court order
ten years
He expressed disbelief at Barrett's actions, stating, "I find it utterly mind boggling to consider how a father could act in this way to a person he thought was a 13-year-old child." He further condemned the behaviour as "extremely serious, predatory conduct aimed at engaging a child in the most serious sexual activity." Barrett will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years and must also register as a sex offender for the same duration
