In 2021, Police apprehended a “very high-risk” sex offender, Paul Weekley, who had groomed a 12-year-old girl online, who later revealed herself to be an undercover officer.
Norwich Crown Court heard that Paul Weekley, then 61, violated a court order by utilising concealed devices to engage in covert online sex chats with a girl whom he believed to be 12-year-old Becca.
Claire Matthews, the prosecutor, stated that Weekley was already on the sex offenders registry due to previous convictions for possessing indecent images of children. The order was intended to allow for the monitoring of his online activity.
Additionally, he had relocated to an address in Salisbury Road, Great Yarmouth, without notifying the authorities of his new location.
She stated that Weekley engaged in sexual conversations with Becca and sent her explicit live webcam images of himself. Additionally, she enquired whether he could visit her.
Weekley was discovered to have downloaded nine indecent images of minors when she was apprehended in March, according to Ms Matthews.
Weekley acknowledged that he attempted to engage in sexual communication with a 12-year-old, engage in sexual activity in front of a child, and incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
Additionally, he acknowledged that he had violated his sexual harm prevention order by possessing indecent images.
Judge Andrew Shaw sentenced Weekley to three years and four months in prison, stating that he was a “troubling individual” who had previously been issued a variety of orders to assist him, but none had been successful. It is only a matter of time before you commit a serious sexual offence against a child and cause substantial harm to that child in person.
He stated that Weekley had disregarded his court order and had utilised social media to communicate with an individual whom he believed to be 12 years old, but who was actually an undercover police officer.
He cautioned Weekley that his sentences would only continue to lengthen unless he ceased his criminal activities, and he also stated, “You are a very high-risk individual.”
Additionally, he indefinitely included Weekley on the sex offenders registry.
For the latest updates and offender details, follow us on the UK Register Database Facebook Page. If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on how to report a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.