PAUL TAYLOR FROM HENLOW CAUGHT IN UNDERCOVER POLICE STING AT STEVENAGE PARK
| Red Rose Database
Henlow Sexual Abuser
In October 2017, a disturbing incident unfolded involving Paul Taylor, a man from Henlow, who found himself at the center of a police operation targeting online sexual grooming. Taylor, aged 48 at the time, was lured into a trap set by undercover officers after he believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old boy on the popular gay dating app Grindr.
The police sting took place at Fairlands Park in Stevenage, where Taylor had arranged to meet what he thought was a teenage boy. When he arrived at the designated meeting spot, law enforcement officers were waiting to apprehend him. During a search of his BMW 3 Series vehicle, officers discovered a collection of items that raised further suspicion: condoms, lubricants, wipes, Vaseline, and an unusual shoelace tied in a lasso fashion. These items suggested potential intent for sexual activity, prompting immediate concern from the authorities.
During police interviews, Taylor claimed he did not believe the individual he was communicating with was under 14. He insisted he thought he was the victim of a hoax and expressed intentions to confront the person he believed was attempting to deceive him. Taylor, who was employed as a fraud investigator in Stevenage, stated he planned to report the hoaxer and warn him about his conduct. He also provided his address as Harrier Mill, Henlow.
Despite his claims of innocence, Taylor faced serious charges. He pleaded not guilty to attempting to meet a child under 16, specifically a person he knew as ‘James,’ between January 22 and January 28 of that year, with the intent of engaging in sexual activity. However, after a trial at Luton Crown Court, a jury composed of nine men and three women found him guilty of the charges.
Prosecutor Geoffrey Porter outlined the details of the case, revealing that the police officer involved in the sting, known by the alias Pat, had used the identity ‘James14’ during online communications. The exchanges took place across two platforms: Grindr, a widely used dating app within the homosexual community, and Kik, a messaging application similar to Snapchat and WhatsApp.
Mr. Porter explained that Taylor, under the pseudonym “Beachman,” used a profile picture of a beach scene and expressed interest in men aged between 18 and 26. Early in their online conversations, Taylor asked James his age, to which the minor responded that he was 14. James also requested Taylor not to report him, citing the app’s age restrictions requiring users to be at least 18. Taylor assured him he would not report him and asked James not to block him on the platform. The conversation quickly turned sexual, with Taylor requesting photos and making suggestive comments. James mentioned he was going to play football, and Taylor responded with a comment indicating a sexual fantasy involving football kits.
Throughout the online chat, the undercover officer, who testified behind a screen, emphasized that he maintained the pretense of being a 14-year-old boy by discussing topics like family, school, and hobbies. He also explained that Taylor’s online profile featured symbols—a bear icon and an upward arrow—used within certain gay communities to signify specific preferences. The bear symbol indicated a preference for a grizzled, masculine appearance, while the upward arrow signified a preferred sexual position.
When questioned by police, Taylor admitted he worked in local government as a fraud investigator. He expressed his disbelief that the person he was communicating with was genuinely under 14, describing the profile as “stank” and feeling that it was an older individual pretending to be a minor. Despite his suspicions, Taylor stated he went to the meeting location intending to confront the individual, emphasizing that he was aware of the legal age of consent and did not want to jeopardize his personal or professional life.
Taylor is scheduled to be sentenced on October 20, at which point he will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the potential risk posed to the community.
The police sting took place at Fairlands Park in Stevenage, where Taylor had arranged to meet what he thought was a teenage boy. When he arrived at the designated meeting spot, law enforcement officers were waiting to apprehend him. During a search of his BMW 3 Series vehicle, officers discovered a collection of items that raised further suspicion: condoms, lubricants, wipes, Vaseline, and an unusual shoelace tied in a lasso fashion. These items suggested potential intent for sexual activity, prompting immediate concern from the authorities.
During police interviews, Taylor claimed he did not believe the individual he was communicating with was under 14. He insisted he thought he was the victim of a hoax and expressed intentions to confront the person he believed was attempting to deceive him. Taylor, who was employed as a fraud investigator in Stevenage, stated he planned to report the hoaxer and warn him about his conduct. He also provided his address as Harrier Mill, Henlow.
Despite his claims of innocence, Taylor faced serious charges. He pleaded not guilty to attempting to meet a child under 16, specifically a person he knew as ‘James,’ between January 22 and January 28 of that year, with the intent of engaging in sexual activity. However, after a trial at Luton Crown Court, a jury composed of nine men and three women found him guilty of the charges.
Prosecutor Geoffrey Porter outlined the details of the case, revealing that the police officer involved in the sting, known by the alias Pat, had used the identity ‘James14’ during online communications. The exchanges took place across two platforms: Grindr, a widely used dating app within the homosexual community, and Kik, a messaging application similar to Snapchat and WhatsApp.
Mr. Porter explained that Taylor, under the pseudonym “Beachman,” used a profile picture of a beach scene and expressed interest in men aged between 18 and 26. Early in their online conversations, Taylor asked James his age, to which the minor responded that he was 14. James also requested Taylor not to report him, citing the app’s age restrictions requiring users to be at least 18. Taylor assured him he would not report him and asked James not to block him on the platform. The conversation quickly turned sexual, with Taylor requesting photos and making suggestive comments. James mentioned he was going to play football, and Taylor responded with a comment indicating a sexual fantasy involving football kits.
Throughout the online chat, the undercover officer, who testified behind a screen, emphasized that he maintained the pretense of being a 14-year-old boy by discussing topics like family, school, and hobbies. He also explained that Taylor’s online profile featured symbols—a bear icon and an upward arrow—used within certain gay communities to signify specific preferences. The bear symbol indicated a preference for a grizzled, masculine appearance, while the upward arrow signified a preferred sexual position.
When questioned by police, Taylor admitted he worked in local government as a fraud investigator. He expressed his disbelief that the person he was communicating with was genuinely under 14, describing the profile as “stank” and feeling that it was an older individual pretending to be a minor. Despite his suspicions, Taylor stated he went to the meeting location intending to confront the individual, emphasizing that he was aware of the legal age of consent and did not want to jeopardize his personal or professional life.
Taylor is scheduled to be sentenced on October 20, at which point he will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the potential risk posed to the community.