Paul Sharpe, a 56-year-old convicted murderer from Portwood, Stockport, pleaded guilty at Minshull Street Crown Court on July 3 to a series of offences including kidnapping, sexual assault, sexual activity in the presence of a child, and making threats with a bladed article. The charges stem from an incident on May 18, when Sharpe kidnapped a 15-year-old girl at knifepoint and held her hostage in his car for eight hours.
Kidnapping and Ordeal
At approximately 7:30 pm on May 18, Sharpe approached the victim on Bradgate Road in Altrincham, threatened her with a knife, placed her in a headlock, and forced her into his car. Claiming that her father owed him money, he drove to a car park at the airport and tied her wrists and ankles with a necktie. Over the next several hours, Sharpe moved between different car parks, forcing the girl to drink alcohol, sexually assaulting her, and masturbating while touching her feet.
Discovery and Arrest
The ordeal ended when police arrested Sharpe in a hotel car park in Knutsford at around 3:30 am on May 19, eight hours after the kidnapping. The victim's mother had reported her missing, and extensive CCTV enquiries allowed detectives to identify Sharpe's vehicle. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) described the incident as a 'protracted' and 'terrifying' ordeal.
Guilty Plea and Motive
In interview, Sharpe claimed he had been feeling bad and kidnapped the girl because he thought it would be easier than kidnapping an adult. He stated he was not thinking clearly and intended to release her when it was light, then end his own life. He denied sexual motives but admitted being aroused by smelling her feet. Sharpe pleaded guilty to all charges, including committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence and administering a noxious thing with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy.
Prosecutor's Statement
Senior prosecutor Hannah Gee 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. Sharpe gave no thought to the impact his actions, for his own depraved reasons, would have on his victim. Although his guilty pleas today have spared her from the ordeal of a trial, I would like to thank the girl, and her family, for supporting this prosecution and ensuring this dangerous offender is back where he belongs.”
Sentencing
Sharpe is scheduled to be sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on September 4, 2026.
