Paul Norman, a Shanklin Paedophile from the Isle of Wight has once more violated a court order by erasing video and photo messages on Snapchat with an individual believed to be young.
On Friday, October 11, Paul Norman, of The Rogers, Shanklin, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court and acknowledged violating a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The court was informed that Paul Norman is a registered sex offender, having been convicted of sexual offences in 2006 and 2022.
In 2022, Paul Norman was apprehended with egregiously obscene photographs of minors and bestiality, resulting in a two-year suspended sentence.
Lauren McConnell, prosecuting, said one prohibition of his order, issued in 2022, means he cannot delete device history.
However, on September 16, his offending manager found he had downloaded the Snapchat app.
It was found that chats had been deleted and they became concerned and suspicious the person he was talking to was underage.
Mrs McConnell said this remains under investigation.
Court heard how he accepted he had deleted some photo and video messages and fully believed the conversation had been with an adult.
In April he was sentenced for breaching his order by failing to register a device. On that occasion he was given a fine and costs, court heard.
Oscar Vincent, defending, offered no submissions.
Paul Norman saw his case adjourned for a probation report.
It is due to be heard on December 13 at the Isle of Wight Crown Court.
UPDATE 20.12.24
A paedophile, Paul Norman, from the Isle of Wight has been sentenced to imprisonment for violating his court order by erasing Snapchat messages and sexual images of an American teenager from his phone and computer.
Paul Norman, of The Rogers in Shanklin, appeared at the IW Crown Court for sentencing after admitting to violating a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The court was informed that the 65-year-old is a registered sex offender, having been convicted of sexual offences in 2006 and 2022, the latter involving possession of extreme obscene photographs of minors and bestiality.
Following the issuance of a two-year suspended sentence, one stipulation of Paul Norman’s order mandated that he refrain from erasing the history on his electronic devices.
Lisa Bowles, the prosecutor, stated that Paul Norman’s supervising manager discovered he had downloaded the Snapchat application and erased messages on his Samsung phone and computer during a house visit on September 16.
Subsequent enquiries revealed that Paul Norman had been communicating with a schoolgirl from North Carolina, USA, and had received nude images from her, as presented in court.
Ms. Bowles stated that the girl requested him to cease messaging her “while she was at school,” however Paul Norman asserted he believed she was in her 20s due to the digits in her username.
The Crown Court was informed that Paul Norman has three convictions, all pertaining to sexual offences, totalling 15 counts.
Jim Osborne, in defence, asserted that there was no evidence of his client communicating with a minor and that the Snapchat application was pre-installed on his new phone.
Mr. Osborne stated that Paul Norman was experiencing difficulties, including family bereavements, excessive alcohol consumption, and the dissolution of his marriage.
The court was informed that Paul Norman “profoundly regrets violating the order.”
Judge David Melville stated, “He appears not to learn.” He is aware of its wrongness, yet he persists still.
“He appears incapable of restraining himself,” stating that he finds it hard to think that Norman feels regret.
“He is attempting to deceive us,” he stated, “he must learn through difficult experiences.”
“You pose a threat due to your sexual interests in minors.”
Paul Norman received a two-year prison sentence, with Judge Melville mandating the confiscation of all his electronic devices.
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