Paul Sharpe, a 56-year-old convicted murderer from Stockport, has admitted to kidnapping a 15-year-old girl at knifepoint, holding her hostage for eight hours, and sexually assaulting her. Police discovered the pair in his car at a Knutsford hotel car park after the victim's mother reported her missing.
Details of the Kidnapping
On May 18 at approximately 7:30 pm, Sharpe threatened the teenager with a knife on Bradgate Road in Altrincham, placed her in a headlock, and forced her into his car. Claiming that her father owed him money, he drove to a Manchester Airport car park, where he tied her wrists and ankles with a necktie.
Over the next several hours, Sharpe drove to various car parks in the area. He forced the girl to drink alcohol, sexually assaulted her, and at one point masturbated while touching her feet, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Arrest and Guilty Pleas
At 3:40 am on May 19, police found Sharpe and the victim in his car at a Knutsford hotel car park. CCTV footage had helped officers identify his vehicle after the girl's mother reported her missing. During his police interview, Sharpe stated that 'he had been feeling bad and so he kidnapped the girl thinking it would be easier than kidnapping an adult.' He claimed he was not thinking clearly, intended to release her at daylight and then take his own life, and that his motives were not sexual but he was 'aroused by smelling her feet,' the CPS said.
On July 3, Sharpe pleaded guilty at Minshull Street Crown Court to kidnapping, committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence, sexual assault, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, threatening another with a bladed article, and administering a noxious thing with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 4.
Prosecutor's Statement
Hannah Gee, senior Crown prosecutor for the North West, said: 'Paul Sharpe, a convicted murderer, kidnapped an innocent girl at knifepoint in broad daylight. In this terrifying incident, the victim was held captive for eight hours while Sharpe forced her to drink alcohol and sexually assaulted her.' She added that Sharpe gave no thought to the impact of his actions and thanked the victim and her family for supporting the prosecution.
