PAUL PRICE FROM MEIR INVOLVED IN HORRIFIC CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES AND PORNOGRAPHY CASE

In October 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving Paul Price, a 65-year-old resident of Bankfield Road, Meir, who was accused of heinous crimes against an eight-year-old girl. The allegations detailed a series of sexually abusive acts committed by Price, who had befriended the young girl and subjected her to disturbing material and physical abuse.

According to court proceedings, the young girl had visited Price’s address on several occasions. During these visits, he had bought her toys, including a baby doll, seemingly to gain her trust and affection. However, the situation took a sinister turn when Price played a pornographic video titled 'Sex Kitten.' The girl immediately recognized the content as inappropriate and attempted to look away, but Price allegedly physically restrained her by holding her head in place, forcing her to watch the explicit material.

The court heard that Price, in a disturbing display of misconduct, performed a sex act on himself while the video played. Following this, he sexually assaulted the girl by touching her over her clothes. The young victim later confided in an adult about the abuse she had endured, prompting a police investigation.

When authorities arrived at Price’s home, they discovered several extreme pornographic videos, which he had purchased in bulk. These videos contained content that was classified as extreme pornography, further highlighting the severity of the case.

During the trial, Price admitted to three charges: forcing a child to watch a sexual act, sexually assaulting a child, and possessing extreme pornographic images. Despite his admissions, Price claimed he could not remember committing the offences, citing intoxication as the reason. His defense argued that his heavy drinking, which began after his divorce, contributed to his lack of memory regarding the incidents.

Prosecutor Daniel Oscrott presented the case to Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, emphasizing the gravity of the offences and the vulnerability of the young girl involved. The court was told that Price’s actions were deeply disturbing and had caused significant harm to the victim.

In mitigation, Joanne Wallbanks highlighted Price’s age and his history of alcohol abuse, which she said was a coping mechanism during stressful periods in his life. She explained that the videos found at his home were purchased in bulk and that he did not specifically seek out extreme pornography but bought a variety of content. She also noted that Price accepted, at least in part, that his actions were wrong, even if he could not recall them clearly.

Rather than imposing a custodial sentence, Recorder David Mason QC opted for a community-based approach. He sentenced Price to a three-year community and supervision order, which included mandatory attendance at a community sex offender programme. The judge acknowledged the public’s revulsion towards such offences but emphasized the importance of rehabilitation and preventing future harm.

Recorder Mason stated, “I have got to balance the public revulsion with the need to protect the public. When I first looked at it, I thought these offences are revolting and require immediate custody. It seems to me that if I was to pass a custody sentence, it would be of the length of 16 months and you would be out in eight months, without any hold over you apart from licence. What you need is help to stop you doing this again. That is what, when they think about it, the public would want – to stop you doing these gross offences.”