Attempted to seduce a vulnerable child into sex.

Predator Sentenced for Child Sex Abuse

Paul Abbinnett, 38, of Oracle Drive, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for attempting to seduce a "vulnerable" child into sexual activity.

Abbinnett, who claimed he was "just having a laugh," was convicted of one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity in 2020.

The court heard that Abbinnett engaged the girl in sexual activity after sending lewd messages encouraging her to perform oral sex and telling her to wait naked for him.

Prosecutor Matthew Lawson described the victim as "extremely vulnerable" and stated that Abbinnett had taken advantage of her vulnerability.

Police recovered Snapchat videos showing Abbinnett stroking the girl's breasts, moving his face close to her chest, and rubbing her chest under a cover.

Despite Abbinnett's claim of innocence, the jury found him guilty. Judge Michael Bowes KC described the offense as "serious sexual abuse" and deemed an immediate custodial sentence to be justified.

The judge emphasized that Abbinnett showed "no remorse" and his claim of "just having a laugh" was rejected by the jury.

The impact of Abbinnett's actions on the victim was profound. The judge acknowledged the girl's emotional trauma and expressed hope for her recovery.

Abbinnett will be released halfway through his sentence. He will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and indefinite sex offender registration requirements.

The victim's family, who were present in court, expressed relief at the sentence, stating that while no sentence could adequately compensate for the suffering inflicted, the conviction and sentence provide some measure of justice.

The family described the lasting impact of Abbinnett's actions, including self-harm, low self-esteem, and mental health issues.