Paul Hunter Redpath

Paul Hunter Redpath, a 51-year-old sex offender with a history of child sexual abuse convictions, appeared before magistrates at Rickergate court in Carlisle via video link from Lewes Prison in East Sussex on 8th October 2022. He admitted three offences related to his failure to comply with monitoring requirements designed to manage his risk to the public, particularly vulnerable children and young people.

The court heard that Redpath, originally from Stranraer in Scotland, had been at large since 2019, breaching his sexual harm prevention order by leaving the Cumbria area without the permission of his offender manager. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to submit his annual Sex Offender Notification form to the police, a requirement for registered sex offenders. Prosecutor George Shelley described the breaches as 'persistent' and ongoing for more than two years, stating: 'Essentially, since a date in 2019, Mr Redpath has been at large in respect of his monitoring and management of his risk in the community.'

Redpath's disappearance prompted a national appeal on BBC's Crimewatch programme in September 2018, where he was named as one of seven men wanted by Cumbria Police. At the time, he was last seen in the Kendal area but had links to west Cumbria, Preston, and Scotland. Described as 6ft 4ins tall with a distinctive grey beard, Redpath had previously evaded authorities, including a 2009 manhunt after fleeing a probation hostel, as reported by The Belfast Telegraph. That article labelled him a 'dangerous sex offender' who abuses alcohol and poses a serious risk to children.

His criminal history includes a 2006 conviction for sexually abusing two teenage girls, aged 13 and 15, at waste ground on Killough Road in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, for which he was jailed for three years. Redpath's record comprises 63 previous offences, with his most recent prior conviction in 2018 for another breach of his sexual harm prevention order. The prosecutor noted a starting point of one year's custody for the admitted offences and requested the case be committed to Carlisle Crown Court due to the magistrates' limited sentencing powers. Magistrates agreed, scheduling a hearing for 4th November 2022.

Defence lawyer Anthony Wilson indicated that Redpath took a 'practical view' of his situation and did not apply for bail. Speaking over the video link, Redpath expressed a desire to return to Carlisle for sentencing in person, complaining: 'I’m banged up 23 hours a day.' He had been recalled to custody and was due for release on 11th October 2022 before these proceedings. Cumbria Police led the investigation into his breaches, issuing the Crimewatch appeal to locate him.