PAUL DAVIES FROM UPPER GORNAL JAILED FOR CHILD INDECENCY OFFENSES IN WOLVERHAMPTON AND DUDLEY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Dudley, Wolverhampton, and Upper Gornal, former police officer Paul Davies has been sentenced to nine months in prison after admitting to the creation of indecent images involving a teenage girl. The case unfolded at Wolverhampton Crown Court, where the court heard detailed accounts of Davies's misconduct and the serious breach of trust that his position as a police officer entailed.

Paul Davies, aged 57 and a resident of Upper Gornal, was once celebrated for his dedication to community policing, having been named West Midlands Community Police Officer of the Year in 2009. His career, which spanned nearly three decades with West Midlands Police, was marked by his role as a young persons’ officer, where he was responsible for engaging with children and teenagers through school visits and organizing extracurricular activities. His responsibilities also included child protection duties, which made his subsequent actions particularly egregious.

The incident came to light following his arrest in May of the previous year. Authorities discovered five images on his device, which were screenshots of photographs sent to him via Snapchat by the teenage girl. These images were deemed indecent, and their presence on his device led to his immediate arrest and subsequent charges. The court was informed that between March 12 and April 15 of the same year, Davies had made and stored these illicit images, further compounding the severity of his misconduct.

During the proceedings, Davies admitted to the charges, which included the creation of indecent images of a minor. The court heard that his actions were not only a breach of legal boundaries but also a betrayal of the trust placed in him as a police officer and a protector of children. The judge, James Burbage QC, emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “Previously you served as a police officer for West Midlands Police for just under 30 years. You’ve had to retire because you committed this serious offence. Not only were you a serving PC at the time, but you were also a young person’s officer and looked after children.”

Judge Burbage further highlighted the disturbing nature of Davies’s conduct, noting that he had interviewed two girls at a college and had suggested they follow him, an act that raised concerns about grooming and manipulation. “I have to deal with you on what you encouraged — and what you did. The offences were so serious,” the judge remarked. He concluded that due to the position Davies held and the grooming implications involved, a custodial sentence was justified, and he was therefore sentenced to nine months in prison.

Earlier in January 2019, Davies had already admitted to making five indecent images of a child, which related to screenshots taken of a teenage girl. At that time, he was still employed as a ‘young persons officer’ at Dudley and had been recognized for his community service. Despite his previous accolades, the court’s focus was on the breach of trust and the harm caused by his actions. Davies was granted bail following his initial plea and was scheduled to appear again at Walsall Magistrates’ Court on February 7, where further proceedings were set to continue.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity and the devastating consequences when those entrusted with safeguarding children abuse their positions. The communities of Upper Gornal, Dudley, and Wolverhampton are left to grapple with the fallout from this serious breach of trust, and the legal system has responded with a firm sentence to reflect the gravity of Davies’s misconduct.