PAUL HEARN FROM MILTON KEYNES CAUGHT IN OXFORD CHILD SEX PLOT
In a disturbing case that unfolded in Oxford, a 56-year-old man named Paul Hearn, residing in Milton Keynes, was convicted of attempting to meet a minor for sexual activity.The incident began when Hearn traveled from his home in Milton Keynes to Oxford, armed with condoms and baby oil, with the apparent intention of engaging in sexual acts with a girl he believed to be just 13 years old.
Unbeknownst to him, the girl was actually an undercover police officer operating a decoy profile on a chatroom website.
According to court proceedings, Hearn had been communicating online with the decoy for about a week prior to his trip.
The police had set up the profile to catch potential offenders seeking to exploit children.
On May 5, 2020, Hearn initiated contact with the decoy, making it clear that he was interested in a sexual relationship.
He asked if she liked older men and expressed interest in her age, indicating a predatory intent.
The conversation quickly turned sexual, with Hearn sending an explicit image of his genitalia and discussing his desire to have sex with the girl.
Further incriminating evidence was uncovered when Hearn shared his mobile phone number, which was the same number he had used in a previous missing persons report filed in September 2019.
The police monitored his movements and, on May 18, 2020, they observed him walking along George Street in Oxford.
When officers stopped him, they found a packet of condoms and baby oil in his possession, confirming his intentions.
Subsequent searches of Hearn’s residence in Stantonbury, Milton Keynes, yielded additional evidence.
Detectives seized sex toys, a clown costume, and digital devices that contained indecent images of children.
The presence of the clown costume was particularly noted, suggesting a possible interest in specific fetishes.
During police interviews, Hearn chose to remain silent, answering no comment.
However, he later pleaded guilty in court to multiple charges, including attempting to arrange or facilitate a child sex offence, attempted sexual communication with a minor, and possession of indecent images of children.
Judge Nigel Daly sentenced Hearn to 32 months in prison at Oxford Crown Court.
In addition to his incarceration, the judge imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and mandated that Hearn be registered as a sex offender for life.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from predatory individuals like Paul Hearn.
