BIDEFORD MAN PAUL SHARP CAUGHT WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN WESTWARD HO! COURT HEARING

In June 2016, a distressing case emerged involving a vulnerable adult from Bideford who was found in possession of nearly 400 child abuse images on his mobile device. The individual, identified as Paul Sharp, openly disclosed to a support worker that he had been accessing illicit material on the internet, prompting immediate concern and intervention.

Sharp, aged 47 and residing on Bidna Lane in Bideford, confided in his key worker about his online activities. He requested assistance to prevent himself from continuing to view such disturbing content. Subsequently, he began working with a charity called Stop it Now, which aims to help individuals struggling with harmful online behaviors. However, during the course of his treatment, Sharp admitted that he had downloaded additional images, raising further alarm.

Staff members at the supported accommodation where Sharp was living in Westward Ho! took swift action by contacting law enforcement authorities. Police officers responded to the call and conducted a search of Sharp’s devices. During the investigation, they discovered 395 indecent images of children, along with an internet browsing history that revealed he had been visiting websites hosting abuse material. The images found included some classified as the most serious category, indicating the severity of the content involved.

At Exeter Crown Court, Sharp pleaded guilty to six counts of possessing indecent images of children. The court was informed that he had been living in supported accommodation in Westward Ho! at the time of the offenses. Prosecutor Miss Bathsheba Cassel explained that Sharp had initially disclosed his activities to a key worker, leading to the installation of parental controls on his phone and the referral to the Stop it Now website for help. Despite these measures, he continued his offending behavior, which ultimately resulted in police intervention and the seizure of two phones.

During the police investigation, browsing histories confirmed visits to websites containing abuse images, and the quantity of images found was significant. The court was told that some of the children depicted in the images were as young as five years old, underscoring the gravity of the case. The prosecution emphasized the seriousness of the offenses and recommended that the case be transferred to Crown Court for sentencing.

In his defense, Mr. Richard Crabb highlighted that Sharp had taken the step of self-reporting and seeking help for his issues. He pointed out that Sharp’s mental health vulnerabilities and the risk of bullying in his environment made him particularly susceptible. The defense also noted that Sharp no longer has access to a phone or the internet, and staff at his supported accommodation are closely monitoring his behavior.

Judge Graham Cottle addressed the court, acknowledging the unusual circumstances surrounding the case. He stated, “In normal circumstances, you would go straight inside, but the circumstances are not normal because of what I have read in the reports from probation and your mental health social worker.” The judge recognized Sharp’s problems but emphasized that enough is enough, and a prison sentence was necessary to manage the serious risk posed by his actions. However, he decided to suspend the sentence for two years, with the requirement that Sharp complete 60 days of supervision and participate in one-to-one work with the probation service.

Judge Cottle concluded by stressing the importance of managing the risk, saying, “You are living in supported accommodation and the serious risk which you might pose needs to be managed.” This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in dealing with individuals who possess such harmful material, especially when mental health issues are involved.