Paedo lorry driver focused single mums on Tinder so he might abuse their youngsters
Paul Stewart, 46, has been jailed after he pleaded guilty to nine charges relating to him preying on young children in relationships with their mothers
A sick paedophile has been thrown behind bars after using dating apps like Tinder to prey on single mums so he could sexually abuse their kids.
Paul Stewart, 46, a lorry driver from Wick, Scotland, admitted to nine chilling offences between October 2020 and May 2024.
Stewart formed sinister relationships with unsuspecting women he met on Tinder and other dating applications, with the twisted goal of abusing and photographing their children. He then sent these vile images across a network of fellow paedophiles on the dark web.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard on December 9 how the beast was found in possession of 367 indecent images along with 22 photographs.
Sheriff Carmichael told Stewart: “You have pleaded guilty to an appalling series of sexual offences that you committed against children you targeted. You took photographs of them and distributed them to other people.
“I am satisfied you pose an ongoing danger to the public as far as sexual offending goes. This is so serious the only disposal can be a custodial sentence.”
Stewart was jailed for three and a half years and forced onto the sex offenders register for life. To further protect the public, Sheriff Carmichael handed down a 10-year sexual-offences prevention order which seriously limits Stewart’s access to the internet and bans him from solo contact with anyone under 18.
His victims include a little girl during her pal’s sleepover, an 11-month-old baby and a toddler. In a whirlwind romance Stewart was about to marry a mother-of-four when released on bail after his initial arrest.
Stewart was already banned from having any contact with under-16s when he persuaded the mother to let him babysit two of her younger children overnight. When she confronted him after discovering his bail situation, Stewart downplayed the severity of his charges by pointing out he wasn’t behind bars.
Fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson chillingly told the court: “Many witnesses have described him as great with kids and confident.”
But Stewart harboured a dark secret; having completely cut ties with his own children without ever giving a reason.
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Sarah Wilkinson added: “The offending to which he has pled guilty is indicative of someone who involves themselves with women who have children, so he can have access to them for nefarious purposes.”
Stewart appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court and was granted bail on August 3, 2023, with strict conditions not to be in the company of anyone under 16 years old. A month later, he met another mother through dating site Tinder and quickly moved in with her and her children despite the bail conditions he knew he was subject to.
Ms Wilkinson said: “The relationship moved quickly and they were engaged to be married by Christmas 2023. She noted that it was all a bit quick. She became aware of the police investigations and confronted the accused, who told her he was on the dark web and that he was sent a link which he clicked on and his phone was then full of indecent images.”
“He said what he had done wasn’t bad because he had been given bail. She asked the police but they were unable to give her the exact nature of the allegations against him. She read the bail order and was satisfied all was above board. She allowed the accused to watch her sons. Sometimes he was left in charge of them overnight.”
If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support for free, confidential advice on 08 08 16 89 111 or visit their website, Home – Victim Support.
