PAUL TAYLOR FROM KINLOCHLEVEN CAUGHT TRYING TO MEET 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN NEWCASTLE

In May 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Paul Taylor, a 48-year-old man from Kinlochleven, who engaged in a sinister attempt to meet a young girl he believed was just 13 years old. The incident highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts.

Taylor had been actively communicating with what he thought was a minor girl through a website designed for under-16s. Under the pseudonym ‘Frozen Fan,’ he believed he was chatting with a 13-year-old girl, but in reality, he was speaking to a decoy set up by the organization Dark Justice. This fake profile was created to catch predators attempting to exploit minors online.

During their online exchanges, Taylor sent the fake girl explicit Disney-themed images, including photographs of himself and animated characters from Disney’s Frozen. He also made inappropriate comments about her dental braces, describing them as ‘sexy,’ and expressed his attraction by saying, ‘Love them, they are sexy.’ The conversation quickly turned sexual, with Taylor asking, ‘Does it feel naughty?’ and repeatedly referring to the profile picture as ‘sexy.’

Over the course of several hours, Taylor continued to communicate with the decoy, requesting more images and making suggestive remarks. He also sent messages indicating he was aroused and expressed a desire to kiss the girl. The chat moved from the website to WhatsApp, where the conversation became more explicit. Taylor’s messages included comments like, ‘I love that sexy pout,’ and he made multiple references to being turned on.

As the online dialogue progressed, Taylor expressed a desire to meet the girl in person. He asked her to dress older when they met and reassured her that she could change her mind at any time. Despite the ongoing digital communication, Taylor traveled from Fort William, in Scotland, to Newcastle upon Tyne, specifically to the Byker area, with the intention of meeting the girl face-to-face.

Unbeknownst to him, Dark Justice had already alerted the police and arranged for him to be confronted. When Taylor arrived at the designated meeting point, an Asda supermarket in Byker, he was met by law enforcement officers and promptly arrested. The police investigation confirmed his intentions to engage in sexual activity with a minor.

At Newcastle Crown Court, prosecutor Jolyon Perks detailed the case, revealing that the decoy profile was established in June 2016. Taylor pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. As a result, he was sentenced to a three-year community order. Additionally, he is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for seven years and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for the same duration.

Paul Taylor’s case underscores the ongoing risks associated with online predators and the critical role of organizations like Dark Justice in protecting vulnerable minors from exploitation. His actions serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for continued efforts to combat online grooming and child exploitation.