PAUL DAW FROM BEBINGTON AND BIRKENHEAD CAUGHT FILMING GIRLS IN PUBLIC AND SCHOOL
| Red Rose Database
Birkenhead Bebington Child Sexual Abuser
In December 2013, a disturbing case involving Paul Daw, a long-standing teacher from Wirral, came to light, revealing a pattern of inappropriate and illegal behavior that spanned both his professional and personal life. Daw, aged 46, who had dedicated over two decades of his career to teaching at University Academy Birkenhead, was found to have engaged in the filming of young girls in various settings, including within the school premises and in public spaces across Bebington and Birkenhead.
The incident that triggered the investigation occurred just before Christmas last year when a 15-year-old girl noticed that she was being filmed while shopping at TK Maxx on Church Street in Liverpool. Recognizing the suspicious activity, she alerted her guardians and authorities, leading to Daw's immediate arrest on the same day. During the police operation, officers seized his mobile phone, along with other devices including additional mobile phones and a camcorder found at his residence. An examination of these devices uncovered 41 video clips, some dating back nine months, which involved footage of girls in various states of undress, including under skirts and in changing rooms.
One particularly troubling clip depicted several girls in the school sports hall, some of whom appeared to be changing clothes. The court was informed that many of these girls had been identified by the school's headmaster, who confirmed that their images had been taken either in the sports hall or during parents' evenings. The scope of Daw's misconduct extended beyond the school environment, as evidence suggested he was also filming girls in public spaces, including shopping areas.
Paul Daw faced multiple charges, including five counts of outraging public decency and one count of making an indecent image of a child. The charges were described as specimen offenses, highlighting the severity and pattern of his offending. During the proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, Daw pleaded guilty to all charges.
In a heartfelt impact statement, the girl who was filmed in TK Maxx expressed her distress, saying, “I felt sick when he filmed me around the shop. It made my stomach turn and since then I have always been aware of people around me.” She further revealed that she now feels paranoid about being filmed and is generally nervous around men, illustrating the lasting psychological impact of Daw’s actions.
Daw’s defense attorney, Peter Killen, acknowledged that although his client denied any sexual motive behind his actions, he recognized that there was some sexual intent involved. Daw explained to police that he had been struggling with depression and found it difficult to cope with his teaching career, often feeling physically sick before going to school. He claimed that his behavior was not driven by sexual desire but was instead a compulsive hobby related to photography, which had become obsessive and compulsive over time. Daw admitted that after accidentally taking a photograph of someone in a shop, he continued these activities regularly.
Sentencing was handed down with a degree of leniency; the court suspended an eight-month prison sentence for two years. Additionally, Daw was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, attend a sex offenders' treatment program, and sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years. As part of the court’s judgment, Daw was also placed under a three-month curfew from 6 am to 6 pm, restricting his movements and further emphasizing the seriousness of his misconduct.
This case highlights the disturbing extent of voyeuristic behavior and illegal filming, especially involving minors, and underscores the importance of vigilance and swift legal action in protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation and abuse.
The incident that triggered the investigation occurred just before Christmas last year when a 15-year-old girl noticed that she was being filmed while shopping at TK Maxx on Church Street in Liverpool. Recognizing the suspicious activity, she alerted her guardians and authorities, leading to Daw's immediate arrest on the same day. During the police operation, officers seized his mobile phone, along with other devices including additional mobile phones and a camcorder found at his residence. An examination of these devices uncovered 41 video clips, some dating back nine months, which involved footage of girls in various states of undress, including under skirts and in changing rooms.
One particularly troubling clip depicted several girls in the school sports hall, some of whom appeared to be changing clothes. The court was informed that many of these girls had been identified by the school's headmaster, who confirmed that their images had been taken either in the sports hall or during parents' evenings. The scope of Daw's misconduct extended beyond the school environment, as evidence suggested he was also filming girls in public spaces, including shopping areas.
Paul Daw faced multiple charges, including five counts of outraging public decency and one count of making an indecent image of a child. The charges were described as specimen offenses, highlighting the severity and pattern of his offending. During the proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, Daw pleaded guilty to all charges.
In a heartfelt impact statement, the girl who was filmed in TK Maxx expressed her distress, saying, “I felt sick when he filmed me around the shop. It made my stomach turn and since then I have always been aware of people around me.” She further revealed that she now feels paranoid about being filmed and is generally nervous around men, illustrating the lasting psychological impact of Daw’s actions.
Daw’s defense attorney, Peter Killen, acknowledged that although his client denied any sexual motive behind his actions, he recognized that there was some sexual intent involved. Daw explained to police that he had been struggling with depression and found it difficult to cope with his teaching career, often feeling physically sick before going to school. He claimed that his behavior was not driven by sexual desire but was instead a compulsive hobby related to photography, which had become obsessive and compulsive over time. Daw admitted that after accidentally taking a photograph of someone in a shop, he continued these activities regularly.
Sentencing was handed down with a degree of leniency; the court suspended an eight-month prison sentence for two years. Additionally, Daw was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, attend a sex offenders' treatment program, and sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years. As part of the court’s judgment, Daw was also placed under a three-month curfew from 6 am to 6 pm, restricting his movements and further emphasizing the seriousness of his misconduct.
This case highlights the disturbing extent of voyeuristic behavior and illegal filming, especially involving minors, and underscores the importance of vigilance and swift legal action in protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation and abuse.