PAUL WARREN FROM HARROGATE CAUGHT IN UNDERCOVER POLICE OPERATION TRYING TO MEET TEEN FOR SEXUAL ACTIVITY

Paul Warren, a resident of Harrogate, found himself in serious legal trouble after an undercover police operation uncovered his intentions to engage in illegal sexual activity. The incident unfolded when Warren believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old boy through online messages. In reality, he was speaking with officers who had set up the sting to catch individuals attempting to exploit minors.

During the course of the conversation, Warren explicitly suggested they meet at a McDonald's restaurant, a popular fast-food chain, with the plan to then move to a nearby car park. His expressed goal was to carry out a sexual encounter, demonstrating a disturbing level of intent from the outset. When Warren arrived at the agreed-upon location, law enforcement officers were ready and promptly arrested him on the spot.

Following his arrest, Warren was brought before Teesside Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to charges related to arranging to commit a child sex offence. The court subsequently sentenced him to 16 months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for a period of two years, meaning he will not serve time unless he commits another offence within that timeframe.

North Yorkshire Police’s Online Abuse Team, represented by Detective Constable Kerrie Jones, publicly commented on the case. She described Warren’s intentions as “distressingly clear,” highlighting that he “suggested a sexual encounter within minutes of starting a conversation and it was obvious from his actions that he had every intention of meeting a teenage boy for sexual abuse.” The case underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online grooming and protect minors from exploitation, especially in areas like Harrogate where such incidents can cause significant community concern.