PAUL MOORE'S SHOCK EARLY RELEASE SPARKS OUTRAGE IN NORTH SHIELDS

In a development that has left the community of North Shields deeply unsettled, the family of a young boy who was groomed and sexually assaulted by Paul Moore have expressed their outrage and concern over his recent early release from prison. Moore, a 39-year-old man originally from Mitford Gardens, Howdon, was sentenced in January 2004 to a term of four years and nine months after admitting to the sexual abuse of three boys, including a seven-year-old victim who described Moore as his "best friend in the world".

During the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, it was revealed that Moore had engaged in grooming behaviors, befriending two of his victims in order to gain their trust. Authorities also uncovered a significant amount of child pornography stored on his computer, which further underscored the severity of his offenses. The court heard that Moore had also assaulted a 16-year-old boy and that a 12-year-old victim had confided in his mother about an incident in 2001 involving Moore.

Following his conviction, the family of the young boy, who cannot be publicly identified due to legal restrictions, publicly criticized the length of Moore’s sentence, asserting that he deserved a much longer punishment. Their concerns have only intensified with the recent notification from the Victim Liaison Service that Moore is scheduled to be released in the upcoming weeks. This news has caused considerable distress among the family members, who fear for their safety and the safety of their community.

The father of the young victim expressed his fears, stating, "He is an extremely dangerous person. He is very, very crafty. He wormed his way into our family so he could get to our son and then he abused him. He is a very, very dangerous person and we are concerned he will be close." The family has been provided with a list of potential locations where Moore might be bailed, but they are worried that some of these sites are alarmingly close to their home. Although authorities have issued an exclusion zone, the family remains anxious, fearing Moore could easily come into that restricted area.

Moore’s arrest in September 2003 followed the revelation that he had attempted to perform sexual acts on the young boy at his residence. The police investigation also uncovered 422 indecent images on Moore’s computer, highlighting the extent of his offending. Despite his guilty plea, Judge Beatrice Bolton acknowledged Moore’s cooperation but emphasized the ongoing risk he posed, ordering him to remain on the sex offenders’ register for life and prohibiting him from working with children.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge Bolton stated, "If one was sentencing to reflect the distress and pain caused to those who trusted this man then the sentence could never be long enough." The community and the victims’ families are now grappling with the unsettling reality of Moore’s imminent release, raising questions about the adequacy of the justice system’s response to such heinous crimes.

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Northumbria Probation Service confirmed that they work closely with victims of serious violent and sexual offenders, providing ongoing support and updates regarding the offender’s case. She added, "This includes advance notice of the month of the offender’s release," underscoring the importance of community awareness and vigilance in the wake of Moore’s release.