News
October 03, 2025
Prolific Southend paedophile back behind bars for messaging 'young looking men'
Paul Hart, from Westcliff, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison at Basildon Crown Court for messaging young men on Facebook, Telegram and Zangi.
**Southend Paedophile Back Behind Bars After Messaging 'Young Looking Men'**
A prolific Southend paedophile, Paul Hart, has been jailed for 30 months after breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by contacting young men online. Hart, from Westcliff, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court after pleading guilty to the charges.
The court heard that Hart, despite being subject to the SHPO designed to protect the public, had been actively engaging with young men through various social media platforms. His illicit online activities took place on Facebook, Telegram, and Zangi, where he sent messages to individuals he believed to be young and vulnerable.
The SHPO, imposed previously due to Hart's extensive history of child sex offences, specifically prohibited him from contacting individuals under a certain age or engaging in any online activity that could put children at risk. His recent actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the order and a continued threat to the safety of young people.
Detective Constable Davies, who led the investigation, said: "Hart's persistent offending is deeply concerning. He has shown a clear pattern of behaviour, ignoring the restrictions placed upon him and actively seeking out opportunities to engage with young people online. This sentence sends a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated."
The investigation was launched after police received information regarding Hart's online activity. Subsequent inquiries revealed a network of messages sent to young men, triggering his arrest and subsequent court appearance.
The sentencing of Hart has been welcomed by child protection charities and local community groups. They emphasized the importance of vigilance and reporting any suspected online grooming or abuse to the authorities. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing dangers lurking online and the need for continued efforts to protect children and young people from exploitation. The police are urging parents and guardians to be aware of their children's online activity and to educate them about the risks of interacting with strangers online.
A prolific Southend paedophile, Paul Hart, has been jailed for 30 months after breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by contacting young men online. Hart, from Westcliff, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court after pleading guilty to the charges.
The court heard that Hart, despite being subject to the SHPO designed to protect the public, had been actively engaging with young men through various social media platforms. His illicit online activities took place on Facebook, Telegram, and Zangi, where he sent messages to individuals he believed to be young and vulnerable.
The SHPO, imposed previously due to Hart's extensive history of child sex offences, specifically prohibited him from contacting individuals under a certain age or engaging in any online activity that could put children at risk. His recent actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the order and a continued threat to the safety of young people.
Detective Constable Davies, who led the investigation, said: "Hart's persistent offending is deeply concerning. He has shown a clear pattern of behaviour, ignoring the restrictions placed upon him and actively seeking out opportunities to engage with young people online. This sentence sends a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated."
The investigation was launched after police received information regarding Hart's online activity. Subsequent inquiries revealed a network of messages sent to young men, triggering his arrest and subsequent court appearance.
The sentencing of Hart has been welcomed by child protection charities and local community groups. They emphasized the importance of vigilance and reporting any suspected online grooming or abuse to the authorities. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing dangers lurking online and the need for continued efforts to protect children and young people from exploitation. The police are urging parents and guardians to be aware of their children's online activity and to educate them about the risks of interacting with strangers online.
Category:
Politics