PAUL GODFREY OF STOURPORT CONVICTED OF 30-YEAR-OLD SEXUAL ASSAULT

In March 2011, a former shopkeeper from Stourport was convicted of a sexual assault that occurred approximately 30 years prior. The incident came to light after discussions surfaced on the internet. Paul Godfrey, who was then in his twenties and operating a newsagents' shop, was accused of putting his hand down the teenage girl’s trousers and assaulting her, as detailed at Worcester Crown Court.

Defense lawyer Abigail Nixon described Godfrey as being in his twenties at the time and said, “Paul Godfrey put his hand down the trousers of a teenage girl and assaulted her.”

Godfrey, now 56 and residing on Thirlmere Road, Stourport, pleaded guilty to indecent assault and was sentenced to a three-year community order. Judge Christopher Plunkett characterized the offence as "deeply unpleasant," emphasizing that it was committed by a grown man on a child. However, he added that "the public interest would not be served by sending the defendant to jail."

The judge acknowledged Godfrey’s previous good character and noted the importance of considering the time elapsed since the offence. He also highlighted that sentencing standards in the 1970s and 1980s were generally more lenient, whereas contemporary sentences would likely involve years of imprisonment.

As part of his sentence, Godfrey is required to participate in a sex offenders’ group work program, is prohibited from contacting individuals under 18, and must register as a sex offender for five years.

Prosecutor Gerry Bermingham explained that the offence was a solitary incident that happened "out of the blue" at the defendant’s former home. He added that police investigations revealed comments made on the internet, which led to Godfrey’s full admission—though he did not offer an explanation for his actions.

Despite these revelations, Miss Nixon noted that Godfrey’s wife continues to support him, even after being made aware of his past behavior. It was also mentioned that Godfrey has been unemployed since the late 1990s and suffers from depression and panic attacks.