PAUL BERRYMANN FROM TUEBROOK ESCAPES JAIL AFTER PREDATORY PLOT AGAINST 13-YEAR-OLD IN LIVERPOOL

In July 2019, a disturbing case unfolded involving Paul Berryman, a 24-year-old man from Moscow Drive, Tuebrook, who engaged in a sinister attempt to lure a 13-year-old girl into a sexual encounter. The incident was part of a covert operation where Berryman believed he was communicating with a young girl, but in reality, he was speaking to an undercover police officer.

According to court proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, Berryman initiated contact with the girl, who he believed was 13, through Snapchat on July 5, 2017. Under the alias 'bezza,' he responded to her messages with inappropriate comments, including a suggestive remark, 'nice, let’s see you.' He then proceeded to ask her about her sexual experiences and those of her friends, displaying a disturbing interest in their sexual lives.

During the exchange, Berryman boasted about the size of his penis, claiming it was large enough to be enjoyable for her and her friends, and he attempted to persuade her to visit a hotel with her friends for sexual activities. He also sent a video of himself masturbating, explicitly requesting naked pictures from her, which she refused to send. Berryman’s conversations included highly inappropriate and explicit content, including references to incest, which he claimed to have committed with his own sister. When the girl expressed that the idea of incest was 'mental,' Berryman insisted he had a video to prove his claims.

Throughout the communication, Berryman revealed that he was pleasuring himself while messaging her. His persistent requests and explicit messages demonstrated a clear intent to engage in sexual activity with a minor. The police investigation uncovered that Berryman resided at an address on Ballantyne Road, Clubmoor, where he lived with his girlfriend.

He was arrested on May 21, 2018, and during police interviews, Berryman initially denied any wrongdoing. However, he later admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, intending to cause her to participate in sexual acts and to watch a sexual act himself.

Judge Andrew Menary, QC, addressed the court, describing Berryman as a fantasist heavily influenced by online hardcore pornography. The judge criticized the nature of the conversations, stating they exemplified the corrupting influence of internet pornography and the dangerous fantasies it can foster. The judge also condemned the video Berryman sent, questioning how he believed it would be attractive to a young girl, and dismissed his claims of incest as 'complete fantasy' and 'nonsense,' suggesting they were fabricated to satisfy his perverted desires.

While Berryman was considered a low risk for reoffending, the judge emphasized the importance of rehabilitation. He ordered Berryman to participate in a sexual offenders treatment program, sign the Sex Offenders Register, and adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for seven years. Additionally, Berryman was given a five-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, along with a 30-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. The court's decision was met with emotional reactions, as Berryman’s girlfriend was seen sobbing in the public gallery when he was spared immediate imprisonment.