PAUL HAYTON SENTENCED IN BRADFORD TO 11 YEARS FOR GROOMING AND RAPING 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In November 2017, Paul Hayton, a 59-year-old man from Allerby Green, Woodside, Bradford, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after being convicted of grooming and repeatedly raping a vulnerable 15-year-old girl.Bradford Crown Court heard that Hayton, a former soldier, exploited the victim by offering her money, cigarettes, and alcohol over a three-year period to facilitate his sexual assaults.
Judge John Thackray labeled Hayton as a danger to girls, emphasizing his willingness to take risks for his deviant behavior.
Hayton was found guilty in September by a jury of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual activity with a child, and a charge of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
While in custody awaiting sentencing, a probation officer assessed him as a significant threat to the public.
During the sentencing hearing, the victim delivered an emotional statement, stating: "Words cannot describe what you have done to me.
Because of you I am broken inside and out.
You are like a constant nightmare that never goes away and will never stop torturing me." She described feeling ugly and worthless, having contemplated suicide, self-harmed, and turned to alcohol in an attempt to erase Hayton’s influence.
The court was told that Hayton, a widower, specifically targeted the vulnerable teenager, first raping her when she was 15.
In detailing the abuse, Recorder Thackray highlighted that Hayton planned to exploit the girl, touching her inappropriately, grooming her with gifts, and watching pornography in her presence.
The judge noted that the victim was too afraid to tell her parents about the abuse.
Addressing Hayton directly, Recorder Thackray said, “She was a child and she made it clear that your advances were completely and utterly unwanted.” The judge also emphasized the severe psychological harm caused, including depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and alcohol misuse.
Hayton received a 14-year extended sentence, comprising 11 years in prison plus three years on extended license.
He is required to serve at least two-thirds of his custodial sentence before being considered for release, and he will not be freed until the full term is completed unless the Parole Board approves earlier release.
Additionally, he is to remain on the sex offender register for life and is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Throughout the courtroom proceedings, Hayton, notably dressed in a red casual jacket, sat quietly and impassively in the dock.
This case follows an earlier trial in September, where Hayton, then aged 58, was found guilty of systematically grooming and sexually abusing the same girl in Bradford between 2011 and 2014.
Prosecutor Gerald Hendron described how Hayton, who had recently lost his wife, sought to "corrupt her and go further and further, up to the point of having sex with her," bribing her with cigarettes, money, and alcohol to prevent her from revealing the abuse.
During police interviews in 2015, Hayton admitted to having sexual contact with the girl when she was 15, claiming it was consensual.
However, he later disputed this, asserting she was 16 at the time, reportedly to avoid further consequences.
The jury heard that Hayton raped the girl in various locations within Bradford and made her perform sexual acts, including watching pornography while he masturbated.
The victim concealed the abuse for years, suffering emotional scars and delaying her report to authorities until she was sought out by police.
Prosecutor Hendron stated, “She didn’t make a full disclosure straight away as the enormity of what she had to say had to be done incrementally.” The court remanded Hayton in custody after the verdict, with sentencing scheduled for November 20.
