PAUL STEWART FROM WICK, ARBROATH, AND GLASGOW SENTENCED FOR ABUSIVE CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN

A man from Wick, identified as Paul Stewart, has been sentenced to serve time in prison after a series of heinous crimes involving the exploitation and abuse of children. Stewart, who has connections to Wick, Arbroath, and Glasgow, engaged in a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that involved targeting vulnerable women on dating apps to gain access to their children.

Stewart’s criminal activities came to light during his court appearance at Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday, where Sheriff Alistair Carmichael handed down a sentence of three and a half years in prison. In addition to his incarceration, Stewart was ordered to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life, reflecting the severity of his offenses. The court also imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for a period of ten years, which restricts his internet access and prohibits him from being alone with anyone under the age of 18.

Sheriff Carmichael emphasized the gravity of Stewart’s crimes, stating, “You have pleaded guilty to an appalling series of sexual offences that you committed against children you targeted. You took photographs of them and distributed them to other people.” The court proceedings revealed that Stewart’s modus operandi involved establishing relationships with women through online dating platforms, where he gained their trust. Once he was left alone with the children, he committed acts of abuse, including an incident during a sleepover involving a young girl and her friend. Furthermore, Stewart took indecent images of an 11-month-old baby, which he shared on the dark web, a hidden part of the internet often used for illegal activities.

It was also disclosed that Stewart, aged 46, was already under a ban from having any contact with children under 16. Despite this, he persuaded a mother to allow him to babysit her two younger children overnight. When the mother later discovered that Stewart was under investigation and had been released on bail, she questioned him about the charges. Stewart falsely reassured her, claiming that the allegations were not serious because he had not been detained.

The court heard that Stewart was often described by those who knew him as being “great with kids and confident,” which he used to his advantage in building trust with his victims. His criminal record includes nine charges related to offenses committed between October 2020 and May 2024. Authorities recovered a total of 367 indecent images and 22 videos depicting his crimes.

During the hearing, solicitor advocate Kris Gilmartin acknowledged the seriousness of Stewart’s actions, stating, “Nothing which can be said can mitigate the nature of the offending and the inevitable harm it caused. He has expressed remorse and regret for his actions. The victim impact statements provide harrowing accounts of the effects his actions have had. There has been long-term devastating harm caused.”

Stewart’s case highlights the ongoing threat posed by individuals who exploit trust and manipulate vulnerable victims, with authorities emphasizing the importance of vigilance and strict legal measures to protect children from such predators.