PATRICK KELLY OF BOLTON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN BOLTON
A heinous paedophile, Patrick Kelly of Bolton, who was convicted 37 years ago for abusing a child in a public swimming pool, has finally been imprisoned after committing further crimes against a young girl.Bolton Crown Court heard that in 1984, Kelly was at a swimming pool where he touched a girl’s private parts inside her costume.
He was fined for this offence at the time.
Judge Timothy Stead remarked, "I don’t wish to comment unduly on sentencing regimes 30-odd years ago, but they were very different times.
If this had arisen today, I am fairly confident it wouldn’t be a fine." Kelly’s sexual interest in children persisted, leading to his current sentence of three years imprisonment after he sexually assaulted a nine-year-old girl on three separate occasions.
Prosecutor Daniel Calder explained that Kelly knew the girl’s family and the offences took place while she was watching television with him.
Unaware of his previous conviction, the court was told that one evening, Kelly sat on a couch with the girl and told her, "You can put your legs up on me." The girl obeyed, but Kelly then placed his hand inside her clothing and underwear, touching her private parts.
His hand remained there for up to 40 minutes as he continued to watch television.
Calder added that Kelly committed two more similar offences on different occasions.
Kelly was arrested after the girl confided in her mother about what had happened.
Initially denying the charges, Kelly claimed that any contact was accidental and not sexual, Calder said.
Kelly, 65, of Tabley Road, Bolton, ultimately pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault against a child.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the girl’s mother described her as quiet, shy, and very sensitive.
She expressed the belief that Kelly exploited her young age and personality, noting that her daughter had become emotional, clingy, and afraid to leave the house due to the trauma.
Kelly’s defense solicitor, Helena Williams, stated that her client expressed remorse and regret for his actions, especially concerning the impact on the girl.
She also noted that Kelly was unable to explain why he committed these offences.
Williams highlighted Kelly’s ongoing health issues, including a heart condition and previous severe illness with Covid-19, which still affected him.
The judge dismissed Kelly’s claim of no sexual interest in children, calling it untenable and stating, “In my view, he cannot sensibly claim he has no sexual attraction to children.” Williams added that Kelly received no support to address his behaviour following his earlier conviction, describing the times as “less enlightened”.
As well as the prison term, Kelly was placed on the sex offenders register and will be subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.
