PAEDOPHILE PAUL WALLIS SENTENCED IN CRAWLEY FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND DISTRIBUTION OF INDECENT IMAGES

In a significant case brought before Lewes Crown Court in February 2025, Paul Wallis, a 44-year-old man with ties to Crawley, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of disturbing offences related to child exploitation and possession of explicit material. The court heard that Wallis had engaged in online communications with another known paedophile, with the intent to arrange the sexual assault of a young girl known to him, highlighting the severity and premeditation involved in his actions.

Authorities revealed that the investigation was initiated after Sussex Police’s Online Child Abuse team uncovered online chat exchanges between Wallis and an individual based in Manchester, who was also involved in paedophile activities. These digital conversations detailed plans to meet and carry out sexual abuse, prompting immediate intervention to safeguard the victim and provide necessary support.

During the court proceedings, Wallis admitted to a total of 12 charges, including attempting to facilitate a child sex offence, possessing indecent images of children, and possessing extreme pornographic images depicting adult sexual acts with animals. The court was informed that Wallis had previously resided in Crawley, and his actions demonstrated a disturbing pattern of sexual misconduct involving minors.

Specifically, Wallis pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing extreme pornographic images, eight counts of making indecent images of children spanning categories A to C, and one count of distributing such images. His guilty plea marked a significant step in the case, which underscored the extent of his illegal activities.

In sentencing, the court handed down a custodial term of eleven years, with an additional eight-year extension, resulting in a total prison sentence of 19 years. This lengthy sentence reflects the gravity of his offences and the potential risk posed to the community.

Furthermore, the court imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which will restrict Wallis’s access to children and prevent any future contact that could pose a threat. The order aims to protect vulnerable individuals from potential harm following his release from prison, emphasizing the ongoing concern for public safety and child protection.