PAUL WATSON FROM TODMORDEN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN BRADFORD

In March 2011, a disturbing case emerged involving Paul Watson, a 22-year-old fairground worker from Todmorden, who was convicted of serious sexual offenses against a young girl. Watson was sentenced to three years in prison after it was established that he had engaged in inappropriate and illegal conduct with a 13-year-old girl during a visit to a fair in Todmorden the previous year.

According to court proceedings, Watson had been providing free rides to the young girl, who was only 13 at the time, during her visit to the fair. The situation escalated when Watson later arranged to meet her through Facebook, raising concerns about his intentions. The court heard that Watson took the girl, who was accompanied by a younger companion, to a private residence. Once his girlfriend left the house, Watson proceeded to give the girl alcohol, which impaired her judgment and physical coordination.

Prosecutor Andrew Kershaw detailed the harrowing experience, describing how the girl, whose identity remains protected, felt dizzy, sick, and unable to stand properly after consuming the alcohol. Watson then carried her upstairs to a bedroom, where he engaged in sexual activity with her. During this assault, Watson repeatedly told her that he loved her and that it wouldn’t cause her pain, a statement that added a disturbing layer to the incident. The girl was so intoxicated that she was staggering when she returned home, and she was subsequently prescribed the morning-after pill to prevent pregnancy.

In a significant development, Watson, who had been residing in North Wales at the time, pleaded guilty to charges of sexual activity with a child. The court, presided over by Judge Scott Wolstenholme, emphasized the clear disparity in age and the predatory nature of Watson’s actions. The judge condemned Watson for taking advantage of the vulnerable young girl for his own sexual gratification, especially after intoxicating her with alcohol.

Judge Wolstenholme highlighted Watson’s lack of remorse and empathy, noting that the girl had suffered considerable emotional distress as a result of his conduct. The judge described her as a vulnerable young woman with no prior experience of sexual intercourse, underscoring the gravity of Watson’s exploitation. The court also imposed an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits Watson from having any unsupervised contact with children under 16. Additionally, upon his release from prison, Watson will be required to register as a sex offender with the police for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

This case underscores the serious consequences of exploiting minors and highlights the importance of safeguarding vulnerable young people from predatory individuals like Paul Watson from Todmorden.