CHRIS PADDAY SHAMES WHITCHURCH AND WREXHAM WATERWORLD WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Christopher John Padday, aged 46, from Whitchurch, Shropshire, was convicted of a serious sexual assault involving a young girl at a swimming pool in Wrexham. The incident, which took place at Waterworld swimming pool, has led to unprecedented legal measures aimed at safeguarding the public, especially minors, from potential harm.

Following his admission of guilt, Padday was sentenced to 12 months in prison. The court also imposed a comprehensive set of restrictions, including a court order that bans him from entering any sports or leisure centers across the United Kingdom for the next ten years. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for a decade and was explicitly prohibited from working with children in any capacity.

The judge presiding over the case, Geoffrey Kilfoil of Mold Crown Court, emphasized the severity of the offense and the necessity of the restrictions. He stated that the order was essential to protect the public, particularly young girls, from serious harm posed by Padday. The court heard that the assault involved four separate incidents at Waterworld, where Padday targeted a 15-year-old girl.

According to the court proceedings, the girl was swimming with a friend when Padday swam past her and made inappropriate contact by touching her breast. Initially, she thought it might have been accidental, but when the behavior repeated, she reported it to staff. Despite her complaints and her departure from the pool, Padday was observed to have continued his assault when she returned to the water. Staff members noted that Padday appeared obsessed with the girls, staring at them intently.

After the incident, the girl was visibly distressed. She described how she had become fearful of men and even distanced herself from her own father, pulling away when he hugged her. She also destroyed her swimming costume because she could no longer bear to look at it. Her emotional state deteriorated significantly, leading to arguments with her mother and her decision to leave her home in North Wales to live with her father elsewhere.

During the court hearing, the prosecution detailed how Padday's actions had caused lasting trauma. The girl recounted experiencing flashbacks, mood swings, and increased depression. She expressed her ongoing fear of men, which was a direct consequence of the assault. Her statement highlighted the profound impact the incident had on her mental health and daily life.

Defense counsel, John Coffell, acknowledged that Padday could not adequately explain his actions. He described his client as a man of previously good character who was under significant stress at the time, citing fears of redundancy and his mother’s serious illness as contributing factors. Despite these mitigating circumstances, the court made it clear that the gravity of the offense warranted strict penalties.

Judge Kilfoil underscored that the sentence was not only a punishment but also a deterrent to others who might consider similar behavior. He emphasized that the safety of young girls and the community at large must take precedence. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for robust legal measures to prevent such heinous acts in the future.