PAUL ELLIS FROM KESWICK AND SKIPTON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING TEENAGE BOY

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Keswick and Skipton, Paul Ellis, aged 52, has been sentenced to over three years in prison after admitting to a series of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy. The incident, which took place in Keswick in 2012, involved Ellis offering money to the young boy in exchange for sexual acts, a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that has now led to his conviction.

According to court records, Ellis, who currently resides on Swadford Street in Skipton, engaged in a troubling exchange with the teenage victim. Prosecutor Tim Evans detailed that Ellis provided the boy with various sums of money, which the boy later confirmed he accepted, stating, “He kept giving me money for it.” The court heard that Ellis’s actions were driven by a desire for sexual gratification, with the offences occurring in Keswick during 2012.

The young boy, whose identity remains protected, initially hesitated but eventually agreed to the arrangements, fearing that refusing could “mess up both of our lives,” he told police. Despite this, Ellis later contacted law enforcement himself, confessing that he had engaged in sexual activity with a teenage boy and expressing remorse for his actions.

During the court proceedings at Carlisle Crown Court, Ellis admitted to five counts of sexual activity with a child and four charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The court was told that his actions were motivated by a desire for sexual gratification rather than any rational or emotional connection, highlighting the predatory nature of his conduct.

In sentencing, the judge imposed concurrent sentences of three years and four months for the first three counts of sexual activity with a child. The remaining charges resulted in additional concurrent sentences of nine months, to be served alongside the primary sentences. Furthermore, Ellis was ordered to be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and was subject to a sexual offences prevention order. This order prohibits him from having contact with boys under the age of 16, except in unavoidable circumstances, aiming to protect potential future victims from similar harm.

Ellis’s case underscores the importance of vigilance and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat sexual crimes against minors, especially in communities like Keswick and Skipton where such incidents can deeply impact local trust and safety.