Convicted child sex offender from Bridlington given additional jail sentence

Paul Tyler, 66, pleaded guilty to 11 offences, including rape of a child under 13, at earlier court hearings.

He appeared at Hull Crown Court today (January 28) and was given an 18-year jail sentence and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, concluding a complex four-year investigation.

An investigation into Tyler, of Trinity Road in Bridlington, was launched in August 2022 after a man reported he had been subjected to multiple rapes over two years as a child. Tyler was named as the person responsible.

Detectives carried out extensive enquiries into what were quickly established to be complex, non-recent sexual offences.

In December 2024, he pleaded guilty at a Hull Crown Court hearing to five counts of rape of a boy under 13, and sexual assault of a boy under 13. However, sentencing was postponed due to a third-party report received a month prior, claiming a woman had disclosed non-recent sexual abuse when she was a child, again naming Tyler as the offender.

Tyler was already in prison serving a 16-sentence that began in 2012 for sexual offences against children in the West Yorkshire area. He remained in prison following his guilty plea and while a second investigation was launched.

Tyler was later charged as part of the second investigation in September 2025, appearing back at Hull Crown Court in November where he entered guilty pleas to two counts of causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, rape of a girl under 13, sexual assault of a girl under 13, and assault by penetration of a girl under 13.

Following this result, the three years left of his existing 16-year sentence will run concurrently, and the 18-year sentence received today will run consecutively.

Detective Constable Clare Gascoigne said: “I want to first commend the extraordinary bravery shown by the man and woman who came forward and reported Tyler’s offending against them when they were just children.

“These offences took place many years ago, and coming forward to report abuse suffered as a child requires immense courage.

“Their strength in speaking out has been vital in bringing this offender to justice, and by doing this, they have not only sought accountability for what was done to them but also helped protect other children.

“I’d also like to recognise the invaluable support provided by colleagues from one of our neighbouring forces, West Yorkshire Police, and the unwavering dedication from all officers involved in both investigations, along with the support from the CPS throughout the entirety of this protracted investigation into Tyler’s grotesque offending.

“Acknowledging The Blue Door service too, whose advocacy and specialist support gave both the man and woman confidence to engage in the criminal justice process. The role of independent support services such as The Blue Door is crucial in helping victims feel believed, supported and empowered.

“Non-recent child sexual abuse often goes unreported for decades because of feelings of fear, shame, or worries about not being believed. This case demonstrates that we will always take such allegations seriously, regardless of how much time has passed, and we will investigate them thoroughly and sensitively.

“Whilst today’s outcome does not take away the pain and suffering the man and woman have endured, I hope it provides them with some reassurance that Tyler will remain in prison for the rest of his life, unable to cause any more harm to children in our communities.

“We would encourage anyone who has experienced abuse, whether it was six days or six years ago, to come forward and tell someone when you are ready. You will be listened to, supported and taken seriously.”