PAUL COLLINS FROM BRISTOL SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST MINOR

A 54-year-old man identified as Paul Collins has been sentenced to prison after admitting to engaging in sexual activities with a minor. The sentencing took place at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, 21 March, where Collins faced serious charges related to his misconduct.

Collins, who has no fixed address, was convicted on seven counts of sexual activity with a child. The court heard that he had targeted a vulnerable teenage girl in the streets of Bristol, where he managed to gain her trust through manipulative tactics. Once he had established a rapport, Collins exploited her trust by supplying her with drugs and subjecting her to sexual assault on multiple occasions over a span of several days in the year 2022.

The police investigation revealed that Collins was found at his bedsit during an unrelated arrest. Shockingly, the teenage girl was present at the scene when officers arrived. Following his conviction on the unrelated matter, the victim later came forward to police, reporting that she had been raped and assaulted by Collins during the period of his offending.

As part of his sentence, Collins was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison. The court also mandated that he register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community. The case highlights the dangers faced by vulnerable young individuals and underscores the importance of vigilant law enforcement in protecting minors from predatory behavior.