PAUL DUTTON SENTENCED IN LIVERPOOL FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGER
A 61-year-old man named Paul Dutton expressed remorse in court after his victim described him as 'a danger to society and deserve to be in cells.' Dutton had sexually abused a teenage boy, leaving the young victim 'a broken person' plagued with anxiety and depression.Dutton looked down in shame when faced with the brave survivor, who was present alongside his devastated mother in the courtroom, seated in the area normally reserved for the jury.
After the boy delivered a heartfelt victim statement, Dutton tearfully apologised, saying he was 'sorry' as he was sentenced.
Liverpool Crown Court was told that Dutton, of Cotswold Grove, St Helens, befriended the boy by offering advice and support.
Prosecutor Karl Scholz explained that their conversations included topics like masturbation, with Dutton telling the boy that it was normal.
When the boy later asked if they could do it together, Dutton initially refused but then agreed.
The court detailed instances where they performed sexual acts on each other and discussed their regret afterward, with both claiming it would never happen again though it did.
The court heard that on another occasion, Dutton showed the boy a sexual position, and they engaged in sexual activity.
In a further incident, Dutton placed his penis between the boy's buttocks.
The abuse concluded after Dutton suggested they stop seeing each other to stop thinking about one another.
The abuse only surfaced when the boy confided in a young friend, who contacted the police.
Mr.
Scholz shared that the boy's mother felt Dutton had 'destroyed her son's childhood by taking advantage of him.' Dutton gave two no comment interviews to police but later admitted to three counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of sexual activity with a child.
A victim personal statement was read aloud, in which the boy told Dutton, 'It’s such a serious crime what you have done to me.' He described his mental health decline, stating: 'I’m just a broken person.
Every day is darkness.
I can't express to everyone in this room how I feel.
You have destroyed my life.' He criticised Dutton, calling him a 'coward' for not telling anyone about what happened and shared feelings of ongoing darkness and depression.
The boy expressed thoughts of dying and explained how therapy has not alleviated his suffering.
He described how he constantly thinks about death and continues to experience depression and anxiety.
As the victim's statement concluded, Dutton was observed crying in the dock.
The boy ended by saying, 'I want you to know every day has been grey and dark for me.
There is not a day that goes by when I don’t have messed up thoughts.' He added, 'You are a danger to society and deserve to be in cells.' Defence lawyer Paul Wood acknowledged the abuse involved a 'course of conduct,' but noted it occurred over a 'relatively modest period of time.' He stated, 'There appears to be a measure of it voluntarily stopping between the parties.' Mr.
Wood emphasised Dutton’s previous good character, highlighting references that described him as 'caring' and 'nervous,' and noted he had no criminal record.
He explained Dutton's isolated lifestyle, his inexperience with sex, and that he himself had been subjected to abuse as a child, which led to issues like self-harm and depression.
The lawyer added that Dutton was a 'nervous individual who lacks confidence' and that the stress from the criminal proceedings caused him to suffer a stroke.
During sentencing, the victim's mother began to sob as Judge Mark Brown addressed the court.
The judge pointed out the 'very significant disparity' in age between Dutton and the 'somewhat lonely and isolated' boy he exploited.
He stated, 'You took advantage of that friendship by sexually abusing him.' The judge mentioned that both the victim and Dutton regretted what had happened, but noted, 'You were regretting what had taken place, but it didn't stop you.' The judge also highlighted how the victim described Dutton destroying his childhood and taking advantage of his vulnerability.
Sentencing Dutton to three years in prison, the judge ordered him to register as a sex offender and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely.
Additionally, a 10-year restraining order was imposed to protect the victim.
As Dutton was led away, he addressed a woman in the public gallery with 'see ya,' who waved back.
Then, turning to the boy and his family, he said, 'I'm sorry.
I know we will never talk...
I'm sorry.'
