SHEENA GORTON AND PAUL PRICE CONVICTED FOR PLOT TO RAPE TODDLER IN BROMSGROVE AND TONYRAFEIL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Bromsgrove and Tonyrafeil, a woman and a man have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after being found guilty of conspiring to commit a heinous crime involving a two-year-old girl. The case, which was heard at Worcester Crown Court, revealed a chilling plot orchestrated through online communications, highlighting the dangers posed by internet-enabled grooming and criminal conspiracy.

Sheena Gorton, a resident of Beech Road in Bromsgrove, was sentenced to thirteen and a half years in prison for her role in the conspiracy. Her co-conspirator, Paul Price, who was described by the presiding judge as a “dangerous paedophile,” received a total sentence of 17 years. The severity of their sentences underscores the gravity of their actions and the threat they posed to society.

Prosecutor Caroline Bradley detailed the case, explaining that Gorton and Price had met through online channels. Gorton, aged 34 at the time, had initially contacted Nikki Figes, who was her girlfriend at the time, via the Rainbow Girls website—a platform catering to lesbian and bisexual individuals. Figes, who was unaware of the sinister intentions behind Gorton’s contact, stated that she had a boyfriend, and Gorton subsequently reached out to him. This connection eventually led to the criminal conspiracy.

Paul Price, aged 35 and residing in Nant Erin, Tonyrafeil, Porth, Mid Glamorgan, reportedly expressed his desire to leave his relationship with Figes and marry Gorton after learning she was willing to assist in the planned abuse. According to Miss Bradley, between November 2011 and January 2012, the pair exchanged an astonishing number of messages—up to 700 per day—via text and online platforms. These messages, totaling approximately 30,000 explicit communications spanning 3,000 pages, detailed their plans to sexually assault and abuse a young child. Some messages even discussed the possibility of marriage and having a child, with the disturbing intent of the child being used as an object of abuse.

In January 2012, Price traveled from Tonyrafeil to Bromsgrove to meet Gorton in person. However, it was reported that Gorton appeared less attracted to him during their face-to-face encounter. Shortly after, on January 16, Gorton left her phone and computer with a family member for an upgrade. During this process, authorities discovered the incriminating messages, leading to police intervention.

Both Gorton and Price pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to rape on the day their trial was scheduled to commence earlier this year. Additionally, Gorton admitted to creating and distributing indecent images of a child. Despite psychological reports presented in her defense, Judge Abbas Mithani condemned their actions as “vile and despicable,” emphasizing that there was no mitigation for such “appalling offences.”

The judge described the conspiracy as “loathsome and sickening,” noting that it was only the discovery of their plans that prevented the commission of the actual rape. He further stated that neither defendant showed genuine remorse or regret for their actions. Price was characterized as a “dangerous paedophile” who posed a significant ongoing risk to society. Consequently, he was sentenced to 13 and a half years in prison, with an extended license period of three and a half years, meaning early release would only be considered if the parole board was convinced he was no longer a threat.

Gorton received a similar sentence of 13 and a half years for her conspiracy charges, with an additional two months for the indecent images, to run concurrently. Both individuals were also subjected to sexual offences prevention orders, restricting their future use of computers and involvement with children. Furthermore, they are required to register as sex offenders indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further harm.