In April, the Guelph Police Service received reports from two local residents who had been in touch with a person after spotting a phone number scribbled on the bathroom wall of a business in the south end. One of the witnesses informed the man that he
was 12 years old, and they went on to set up a meeting for sexual activities. The witnesses later confronted the suspect when he showed up at the prearranged location.
As a result, the Guelph Police Service initiated an investigation where an undercover officer, acting as a 15-year-old boy, communicated with a man and arranged to meet him at a nearby park.
In June, Paul Barnes, 69, from Guelph, was arrested on two counts of trying to arrange through telecommunications to commit a sexual offence against a child. He was held for his bail hearing and has since been released. His next court date is scheduled for July 14.
The Guelph Police Service fears there might be more victims who have not come forward yet or who haven’t been identified. Anyone with information should reach out to Detective Constable Sam Johnston of the Guelph Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit at 519-824-1212, ext. 7214, or via email at sjohnston@guelphpolice. ca. (Occurrence number GU26027501)
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