CHRISTOPHER PAYLOR SENTENCED IN TEESSIDE FOR HISTORIC CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In January 2020, Christopher Paylor was brought back to court to receive a sentencing for additional child sex offenses committed over ten years earlier. During the proceedings, a victim who was under 10 at the time detailed how Paylor had raped and assaulted her. As a result, he received a 14-year prison sentence, consisting of nine years in custody followed by five years on extended license.

Earlier, in November 2019, Paylor, then aged 26, pleaded guilty to 13 charges out of 18, which included five counts of rape, three sexual assaults, and five counts of inciting or causing a child to engage in sexual activity. These offenses were committed when he was himself a minor and involved younger victims, a girl and a boy, over a decade ago. He denied the remaining five charges, which covered additional rape, sexual assault, and incitement.

Prosecutor Shaun Dodds informed the court that these extra charges would be left on the court record, as Paylor’s guilty pleas had been accepted. The court ordered a 'dangerousness report' and plans to gather personal statements from two victims, who for legal reasons cannot be named. A report will also assess whether Paylor qualifies as a dangerous offender.

At the hearing, Paylor’s address was recorded as Holme House Prison in Stockton, where he appeared via video link. Court Recorder Alistair MacDonald QC remanded him into custody until the next hearing scheduled for January 17. The judge emphasized that the only suitable sentence would be one of immediate custody of a very substantial length, citing the need for a pre-sentence report.

Paylor was already serving a six-year sentence for crimes committed as an adult. In March, he was convicted of communicating with a teenage girl online, sending explicit messages, and arranging to meet her. He drove her from Teesside University in Middlesbrough to his home, where they had sex on their first meeting and multiple times afterward. Despite knowing her age, Paylor repeatedly made sexual advances. He told police he was aware it was illegal but admitted to getting "caught up in the moment." The girl stated she was very young and naive, feeling she was taken advantage of, and acknowledged that he should have known better due to her underage status.

Paylor, formerly residing on Cliff Terrace, Saltburn, admitted to three charges related to sexual activity with a child. His lawyer highlighted his history of depression and traumatic childhood experiences, which contributed to his distorted thinking. Judge Sean Morris sentenced him to six years imprisonment and imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. Paylor was also placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

In March 2019, Paylor, then 25, started communication with a teenage girl via social media, exchanging graphic messages and asking for images, which she sent after he expressed interest in less clothing. They met in Middlesbrough, where Paylor drove her to his home and engaged in sexual activity, continuing this pattern on subsequent occasions. Although aware she was underage, Paylor initially told her he was 22 in 2015. She disclosed her true age eventually, and he stated he did not mind. She also expressed feelings of discomfort due to the age gap but noted he refused to discuss it.

This conduct was uncovered when Paylor was arrested and his phone was examined for unrelated reasons. He admitted to police that he knew his actions were unlawful, but he described his behavior as being influenced by the moment.

The victim stated she felt vulnerable and took advantage of her naivety, acknowledging her own lack of judgment at the time, but firmly believing Paylor, as the older individual, should have known better. She expressed shock at how all this came to light, recognizing the wrongdoing.

Judge Morris reiterated that Paylor should have ceased all contact once he realized the girl was underage, underscoring that, despite any appearance of maturity, she was mentally still a child. He confirmed that the only possible outcome was a lengthy custodial sentence, given his findings. As part of his sentencing, Paylor received a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.