PAUL CROWLEY, THE HULL CHILD RAPIST, SENTENCED TO INDEFINITE IMPRISONMENT

In a case that has shocked the city of Hull, Paul Crowley, aged 27, has been sentenced to an indefinite term of imprisonment following his conviction for heinous sexual offenses against young girls. The crimes, which involved both rape and sexual assault, were committed after Crowley targeted his victims through online platforms, exploiting their trust and vulnerability.

Hull Crown Court heard that Crowley, who resided on Beverley Road in west Hull, engaged in a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior. His victims included a girl aged 12 and two others aged 15. The court was informed that Crowley raped one of these girls and later attempted to contact her via Facebook to offer an apology, revealing a disturbing attempt to manipulate or seek forgiveness from his victims.

One of the victims, who has chosen to remain anonymous for legal reasons, expressed the ongoing trauma caused by Crowley's actions, stating, “As soon as my head hits the pillow, my mind starts wondering and thinking about what happened.” Another victim shared her lasting emotional scars, saying, “I will never forget what he did. My life will never be the same.”

During the proceedings, Crowley pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, nine counts of sexual activity, and one count of attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child. In a rare move, a statement was read to the court through his barrister, Paul Genney, in which Crowley asked for forgiveness from his victims. He expressed remorse, stating, “I have become somebody I do not recognize any more. I have become a monster. My thoughts have been migrating to a way of thinking that is not human. They sicken me to my very core. I would like to say sorry to my victims. Please forgive me.”

Judge Michael Mettyear, the honorary Recorder of Hull and the East Riding, described Crowley's actions as “truly horrendous” and emphasized the severity of his crimes. The judge highlighted that Crowley's own letter characterized him as a monster, a description the court found fitting given the nature of his offenses. The pre-sentence report indicated that Crowley posed a significant risk of causing serious harm to children, and the judge concurred, describing him as “an extremely dangerous man to children.”

As a result of the court's findings, Crowley was sentenced to an Imprisonment for Public Protection. The judge mandated that he serve a minimum of six years before being eligible to apply for parole. The Parole Board will carefully assess whether Crowley no longer poses a threat before considering his release. Additionally, Crowley will be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and whereabouts.

This case underscores the ongoing concerns about online grooming and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from predators like Paul Crowley, whose actions have left a lasting scar on his victims and the community of Hull.