PHILLIP TAYLOR PREDATOR FROM WIRRAL SENTENCED FOR NINTH VICTIM IN SHOCKING CHILD SEX ABUSE CASE

A notorious child sex offender, Phillip Taylor, has been sentenced to additional prison time after a ninth victim courageously came forward to reveal the extent of his heinous crimes. The case, which has shocked the Wirral community, exposes a pattern of grooming, manipulation, and abuse carried out by Taylor over many years.

Phillip Taylor, a painter and decorator based in Wirral, systematically targeted young girls and their families, gaining their trust through a calculated process of grooming. He would often manipulate the parents of his young victims—some as young as three years old—by presenting himself as a caring and helpful figure, thereby securing access to their children. His sinister tactics included bathing the children, during which he would touch them inappropriately and even record himself abusing them, creating a disturbing collection of videos and images that would later be discovered by authorities.

The initial allegations against Taylor surfaced in 2000 when two teenage girls made complaints. At that time, Taylor vehemently denied the accusations, and the Crown Prosecution Service chose not to pursue charges. However, the case took a dark turn years later when police executed a raid on his residence on Bratan Road, Birkenhead. During the search, officers uncovered a trove of illegal material, including videos of his abuse and thousands of child sex abuse images. Confronted with this evidence, Taylor had little choice but to plead guilty to 58 sexual offences, resulting in a life sentence handed down in August 2013, with a minimum term of seven and a half years.

Despite this, Taylor’s legal situation was not entirely settled. He was eligible to apply for parole in February 2021, but his case was reopened after a jury found him guilty of six additional offences following a five-day trial. The prosecution presented evidence that Taylor had continued his predatory behavior by grooming a ninth girl, showering her with gifts and treats to foster a sense of dependency and affection. This manipulation made her eager to spend time with him, which he exploited for his own sexual gratification.

During the trial, it was revealed that Taylor had ingratiated himself with the girl’s family by offering them use of his computer and transportation, further embedding himself into their lives. The court heard how he would make the young girl take baths and showers while he watched, then assist her in washing, claiming it was necessary for her hygiene. He would dry her and apply talcum powder, all while engaging in sexual acts. Additionally, Taylor would watch her while she used the toilet, taking her out in his van and forcing her to urinate in a bucket or pot under his watchful eye.

Prosecutor Anya Horwood detailed that the six charges he faced encompassed 33 separate offences, including indecent assaults, sexual assault, and sexual activity with a child. The victim, now an adult, described her childhood experience with Taylor as one of manipulation and false affection. She stated, “When I was a child I worshipped Phillip Taylor. He lavished me with affection, gifts and attention. He got me anything I wanted. I was too young to realize I was being manipulated and too young to realize what he had done to me was wrong.”

The woman also shared the lasting impact of her trauma, revealing that she now struggles with anxiety, has difficulty forming intimate relationships, and suffers from sleep disturbances, especially when memories of her abuse surface. Judge Gary Woodhall condemned Taylor’s actions, emphasizing the betrayal of trust and the calculated nature of his abuse, which left a profound and lasting scar on his victims.