PAUL BUCKLAND SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN PLYMOUTH AND WILTSHIRE
A man from Plymouth, identified as Paul Keith Buckland, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 20 years after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences involving a minor.Buckland, aged 35, was found guilty of nine separate charges related to the sexual abuse of a child, including two counts of rape of a child and two counts of attempted rape of a child under the age of 13.
The court proceedings took place at Winchester Crown Court on a recent Friday, specifically September 8.
Notably, Buckland chose not to attend the sentencing hearing, a decision that was viewed unfavorably by the court and contributed to the severity of his sentence.
His absence was considered an aggravating factor, reflecting the court’s disapproval of his refusal to face the consequences of his actions.
The offences in question were committed over a decade ago, during a period when Buckland was residing in Tidworth, a town situated on the eastern edge of Salisbury Plain.
It was only in 2020 that these crimes came to light, following a report made to Wiltshire Police by the victim and her family.
The report prompted a thorough investigation that ultimately led to Buckland’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.
During the trial, Buckland was charged with a series of grave offences, including two counts of raping a child under 13, two counts of attempting to commit the same crime, two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
Additionally, he faced two charges of causing a child to observe a sexual act, further illustrating the disturbing nature of his crimes.
In addition to his prison sentence, Buckland will be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, measures designed to prevent further harm and protect the community.
The police have publicly acknowledged and praised the bravery of the victim who reported the abuse, emphasizing the importance of speaking out against such crimes.
Detective Constable Louise Thomas, a member of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, expressed her condemnation of Buckland’s actions, describing him as an “abhorrent individual” responsible for “unspeakable acts” committed against a child.
She highlighted the long-lasting trauma inflicted on victims and commended the victim for her courage in coming forward.
Detective Thomas also reassured the public that Wiltshire Police remains committed to investigating all reports of child abuse and sexual assault, regardless of how much time has passed.
She emphasized that although these offences occurred more than ten years ago, they only surfaced in 2020 thanks to the victim’s bravery.
The police’s efforts continue to focus on safeguarding innocent individuals and bringing dangerous offenders like Buckland to justice, ensuring that such heinous acts do not go unpunished.
