Paul Sharpe

Paul Sharpe pleaded guilty to kidnap, kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence, and sexual assault following an incident on 18 May 2026. Sharpe approached a 15-year-old girl in Altrincham, placing her in a headlock and threatening her with a knife before forcing her into his vehicle. The victim was held captive for eight and a half hours, during which she feared she would be killed and took steps to leave DNA evidence for investigators. Sharpe was arrested on 19 May 2026 after police located the vehicle in Knutsford.

Sentencing Sharpe at the Crown Court, Judge Mark Savill described him as a dangerous offender who carefully planned to target a child to fulfill sexual preferences. Sharpe, who had a previous conviction for murder from 2001, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of eight years before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board.