PAUL DUNWELL FROM SHIPLEY SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND SEXUAL OFFENSES

In a case that has shocked the community of Shipley, Paul Dunwell, a 44-year-old man, was sentenced to a three-year prison term after being found guilty of possessing and producing indecent videos involving underage girls. The incident came to light six months prior when police officers executed a search warrant at his residence on Valley Road, uncovering a collection of explicit films and photographs.

During the investigation, authorities revealed that Dunwell had recorded himself engaging in sexual acts with two girls, aged 14 and 15 at the time. Prosecutor David Gordon detailed to Bradford Crown Court that the videos depicted the victims undressing, performing sexual acts, and engaging in full sexual intercourse with Dunwell. Some footage showed the girls joking and giggling, suggesting a degree of comfort or familiarity, while other clips portrayed them as sullen and seemingly indifferent. The identities of the victims remain protected for legal reasons.

The case was brought to public attention after the older girl confided in police in January, revealing that she had been attracted to Dunwell’s home, partly because he owned a bar and allowed her to help herself to alcohol. She recounted that Dunwell initially asked her to undress, and their relationship escalated to sexual intercourse. She also claimed that he took her on trips to theme parks and provided her with what she described as “little red tablets,” which made her feel drowsy. The teenager further stated that their sexual encounters were unprotected, although Dunwell assured her he had undergone a vasectomy, claiming it made her safe from pregnancy.

It was also noted that both girls had prior sexual experience before their interactions with Dunwell, and the younger girl did not file any complaints against him. Despite this, Dunwell admitted to police that he had engaged in sexual activity with both girls. He faced multiple charges, including four counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with girls under 16 and three counts related to the production and possession of indecent films and photographs.

During the court proceedings, Dunwell’s defense lawyer, David Hall, argued that his client was living a lonely life at the time and suggested that the girls, whom he described as “mixed up,” had engaged in sex with Dunwell for money, at their own suggestion. Hall also claimed that it was the older girl’s idea to record the sexual acts on video. He emphasized that Dunwell was not involved in a relationship with the girls or preying on children of a partner, but rather that the girls had sought him out.

Judge Peter Hunt, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of the crimes and the importance of public safety. He stated, “The public would be outraged if there were non-custodial sentences for this.” Consequently, Dunwell was sentenced to 18 months in prison for each girl, to be served consecutively. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life following his release from prison, underscoring the gravity of his offenses and the community’s need for ongoing protection.