Police catch paedophile by setting up fake Grindr account

A law enforcement officer pretended to be a 13-year-old boy and it wasn't long before Paul Elvins made contact, the Isle of Wight Crown Court heard today.

Elvins, who worked in social care, co-organised the One Life Festival for adults with learning difficulties.

Judge Barry McElduff said Elvins' fall from grace had been 'nothing short of spectacular'.

He jailed him for four years and eight months.

How paedophile Paul Elvins was brought to justice

Elvins, 46, was originally charged with attempting sexual contact with a child by facilitating the commission of a child sex offence after arranging to meet the boy at his home.

Prosecutor Tim Devlin said the 'meeting' didn't go ahead, with Elvins saying he was scared about getting caught and wondering if it was a trap.

However, on being arrested after police turned up at his workplace Appley Cliff, a Leonard Cheshire home for people with physical difficulties, police found several messages on his mobile phone relating to attempting to sexually communicate with young boys and sending obscene images to them.

He was charged with a further 19 counts — including attempting to pay a 17-year-old £40 for anal sex.

Formerly of St John's Road, Sandown, Elvins has been in custody since December 9.

Paedophile Paul Elvins.

Paul Elvins' defence case at the Isle of Wight Crown Court

Jim Osborne, representing Elvins, said he had had the "good sense and courage" to plead guilty and had shown deep remorse.

He was "saddened, ashamed and disgusted" by his own behaviour and it had brought ruin to his life.

His marriage collapsed, his son disowned him and he lost his job.

Mr Osborne stressed that no child had been physically harmed and no sexual activity had actually taken place.

Elvins had also spent many years volunteering to help those less fortunate, he said.

The judge said there may have been many more victims unknown to the court.

Elvins was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and jailed for 56 months.