October 2021 Stoke-on-Trent child rapist gets 21 years Child rapist Paul Clutton has been sentenced to 21 years in prison. The 60-year-old committed a ‘campaign of serious sexual offending’ against a female victim. He had denied the offences, which took place during the 1990s, but was found guilty following a trial. During the sentencing hearing, a statement from Clutton’s victim – who was a child at the time of the offences – was read out. She said that, as a result of the trauma she suffered, she had self-harmed for most of her life and ‘attempted suicide more times than I want to admit’. She said: “I have struggled deeply to maintain any type of relationship with a man. I have lived with unbearable pain. I’ve almost felt like I was on the run.” Clutton, of London Road, Trent Vale, was found guilty of three charges of rape and three charges of indecent assault. Clutton showed no emotion as he was sentenced to 21 years in custody Judge Sally Hancox told him: “You committed these offences in a campaign of serious sexual offending against the victim. “She thought for many years she was a ‘bad egg’. She attempted suicide several times. Her victim personal statement contains commendably brave honesty. “There has been no apology or remorse in this case. The only sentence that can be passed is a lengthy period in custody. It must be a sentence which reflects your terrible wrongdoing.” Clutton will be subject to the notification requirement of the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.