PAUL EDWARDS FROM CHARTHAM SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN CANTERBURY
| Red Rose Database
Chartham Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Paul Edwards, a 41-year-old architect residing in The Green, Chartham, was brought before Canterbury Crown Court to face serious allegations involving a young girl. The incident dates back to October 2010, when Edwards engaged in a series of inappropriate online communications with a 12-year-old girl from Cumbria.
According to court reports, Edwards discovered the girl on Facebook by accident. She had previously deactivated her personal account due to ongoing bullying, which made her vulnerable to online predators. Edwards, who was posing as a resident of Kendal, initiated contact with her through her friend's Facebook page. Over the course of their interaction, he sent her explicit images of himself and his girlfriend, attempting to manipulate her into performing sexual acts and encouraging her to send nude photographs of herself.
Prosecutor Chris May detailed that Edwards explicitly asked the girl for nude pictures, despite her clear refusal. The girl, frightened and confused, stopped replying to him after realizing the inappropriate nature of his messages. Fortunately, her friend noticed the indecent messages on her Facebook account and alerted her mother. The mother then contacted the police in Cumbria, leading to Edwards's arrest and subsequent investigation.
During questioning, Edwards admitted to the police that he had found the girl’s profile while browsing a friend’s Facebook page. He also acknowledged that the messages he sent were rooted in fantasy and expressed remorse, stating that he had brought shame upon himself and his family. It was revealed that Edwards had prior convictions for indecent exposure and making obscene telephone calls, raising concerns about his risk to children.
Judge Adele Williams addressed Edwards directly during sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. She stated, “You interfered with a child’s innocence for your own gratification. You confused and frightened her. She is fearful of men and is distressed by what you did to her. You are 41 and hold a responsible job as an architect.”
In light of the case, the judge ordered Edwards to undertake a sexual offenders’ rehabilitation course, considering it the best way to protect the public. She also sentenced him to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years, and imposed a three-month curfew. Additionally, Edwards was ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and will remain on the Sexual Offenders Register for ten years. The court’s verdict underscores the serious nature of his offenses and the ongoing concern for safeguarding children from online predators.
According to court reports, Edwards discovered the girl on Facebook by accident. She had previously deactivated her personal account due to ongoing bullying, which made her vulnerable to online predators. Edwards, who was posing as a resident of Kendal, initiated contact with her through her friend's Facebook page. Over the course of their interaction, he sent her explicit images of himself and his girlfriend, attempting to manipulate her into performing sexual acts and encouraging her to send nude photographs of herself.
Prosecutor Chris May detailed that Edwards explicitly asked the girl for nude pictures, despite her clear refusal. The girl, frightened and confused, stopped replying to him after realizing the inappropriate nature of his messages. Fortunately, her friend noticed the indecent messages on her Facebook account and alerted her mother. The mother then contacted the police in Cumbria, leading to Edwards's arrest and subsequent investigation.
During questioning, Edwards admitted to the police that he had found the girl’s profile while browsing a friend’s Facebook page. He also acknowledged that the messages he sent were rooted in fantasy and expressed remorse, stating that he had brought shame upon himself and his family. It was revealed that Edwards had prior convictions for indecent exposure and making obscene telephone calls, raising concerns about his risk to children.
Judge Adele Williams addressed Edwards directly during sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. She stated, “You interfered with a child’s innocence for your own gratification. You confused and frightened her. She is fearful of men and is distressed by what you did to her. You are 41 and hold a responsible job as an architect.”
In light of the case, the judge ordered Edwards to undertake a sexual offenders’ rehabilitation course, considering it the best way to protect the public. She also sentenced him to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years, and imposed a three-month curfew. Additionally, Edwards was ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and will remain on the Sexual Offenders Register for ten years. The court’s verdict underscores the serious nature of his offenses and the ongoing concern for safeguarding children from online predators.