PAUL COLLINS FROM WARMINSTER SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AFTER LURING TEEN TO HIS FLAT IN WARMINSTER

In a case that has shocked the community of Warminster, Paul Collins, a 39-year-old man originally from the town, was convicted of serious sexual offenses involving a teenage boy. The incident took place in 2016 when Collins lured a 14-year-old into his flat in Warminster under false pretenses, promising the youth drinks and drugs to entice him inside.

Once inside, Collins committed a sexual assault and refused to allow the boy to leave for a period that lasted up to three hours. The victim was trapped in Collins's flat during this time, causing significant distress and trauma. The police were alerted, and Collins was arrested on the same day. Following his arrest, he was released on conditional bail, but he did not stay in the country.

Instead, Collins fled to Spain, where he continued to evade justice. His absence was marked by taunts directed at law enforcement officers, as he reportedly boasted that he would never be caught. His flight to Spain was further complicated when he was arrested there for failing to appear at a police station during his bail period. This failure to appear led to his extradition back to the United Kingdom at the end of 2017.

Back in the UK, Collins faced legal proceedings at Winchester Crown Court. On January 12, 2018, he admitted to sexually assaulting a child, a plea that led to his eventual sentencing. The court sentenced Collins to two years in prison on February 9, 2018, as confirmed by Wiltshire Police. His case underscores the importance of swift law enforcement action and the ongoing efforts to bring offenders to justice, especially those who attempt to evade capture across borders.