PAUL FRANCIS FROM YEOVIL SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN SOMERSET

In August 2014, the town of Yeovil became the focus of a disturbing criminal case involving Paul Francis, a man with a long history of sexual offenses against minors. The authorities revealed that Francis, who resided in Yeovil at the time, had been convicted multiple times since 1973 for various serious sexual crimes, including rape and other offenses involving underage victims. Despite his extensive criminal record, Francis was allowed to live in a property overlooking a playground, a decision made by a housing association that failed to recognize or consider his background of child sex crimes.

Police investigations uncovered a troubling collection of evidence during a raid on Francis’s home. Among the items seized were a diary, photographs of young girls, and hand-drawn posters that Francis had used to lure children into his residence. These posters, which dated back to his time living in Williton, West Somerset, raised concerns about the possibility of additional victims. Authorities issued a public appeal, urging anyone who might have been targeted or harmed by Francis to come forward and assist ongoing investigations.

At the court hearing held at Taunton Crown Court, it was disclosed that Francis, aged 62 and residing at Milford Park, had been removed from the sex offenders’ register in 2010. His last conviction prior to the current case was in 2005. Despite this, he was not under supervision at the time of his latest offenses, which added to the concerns about his potential threat to the community. The court was told that Francis had been given a home near a local park, a nursery, and a youth group—an arrangement that critics argued failed to account for his dangerous history.

Francis’s latest criminal conduct involved grooming a 10-year-old girl, whom he befriended in March. His actions included touching her buttocks over her clothes and attempting to manipulate her into touching him and another girl inappropriately. He also showed her a sexually explicit photograph of himself and took her picture, with intentions to distribute it on a paedophile network, possibly in Holland, as the judge, Recorder Philip Mott, QC, noted. The court heard that Francis had planned to circulate the images among known paedophiles, further emphasizing the severity of his intentions.

Remarkably, the young girl displayed courage by approaching a police community support officer during a school visit, disclosing the abuse she had suffered. This timely intervention prevented Francis’s grooming from progressing further. The judge commended her bravery, stating, “Great credit is due to the young girl for making an approach to a police community support officer who, by chance, came to visit the school and then talking to that officer and disclosing what happened.”

Prosecutor Malcolm Galloway described Francis as having an “entrenched attraction to children,” citing numerous previous convictions involving sexual offenses against minors. The evidence presented included letters written by Francis to the girl, containing inappropriate comments such as “I want to hug you and touch you,” and references to sexual acts. Police also found photographs of the girl in a park and images of other children, with some labeled with their names. Although Francis indicated he intended to take nude photographs of the girl, none were found. A note he wrote suggested he believed she might go further in their interactions.

Francis admitted to multiple charges, including two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to watch a sexual act, and inciting a child into prostitution or pornography. His defense argued that he had pleaded guilty early and that his offenses occurred during a period of emotional distress. He claimed to have participated in a sex offenders’ program after his 2005 conviction, which he described as beneficial in helping him understand his behavior and triggers.

Judge Mott sentenced Francis to four years in prison, with an extended six-year period for dangerousness, meaning he would not be eligible for release until the parole board determined he was no longer a risk to the public. Additionally, Francis was issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which will restrict any contact with children under 16 for the rest of his life. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the management and supervision of convicted sex offenders, especially those with a history as extensive as Francis’s, and raises questions about the adequacy of housing and community safety measures in place to protect vulnerable children.