PAUL JAMES THORNBAY CHILD MOLESTER SENTENCED FOR ABUSING YOUNG GIRLS IN TEESSIDE

In October 2017, a disturbing case unfolded at Teesside Crown Court involving Paul James, a 39-year-old man from Thornaby, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting two young girls. The court heard harrowing testimonies from the victims, revealing the profound and lasting impact of his actions. Despite his denial of the charges, James was convicted on five counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 after a trial held last month.

James’s crimes involved repeated inappropriate touching of the first girl, despite her clear protests and attempts to resist. She recounted how he ignored her pleas to stop and explicitly told her not to tell anyone about what had transpired. The emotional toll was evident as she later confided in her mother, describing feelings of dirtiness and shame. Her statement, read aloud in court, detailed how the abuse marred her life, making her feel unclean and causing her to experience anxiety, anger, and depression. She revealed that she avoided going out, developed a distrust of boys, and resorted to self-harm as a way to cope with her trauma.

In a separate incident, James coerced a second girl into undressing by shouting “just do it” when she questioned his motives. He then touched her before dismissively telling her to “go away.” The girl’s distress was palpable; she later broke down and curled into a ball when her mother discussed internet safety with her, eventually revealing the abuse she had endured. Her mother’s statement highlighted the changes in her behavior, noting episodes of hitting and biting herself, confrontational tendencies, and irregular eating habits.

Throughout the proceedings, James maintained his innocence, denying all allegations and claiming that none of the incidents occurred. However, the jury’s verdict was clear, and the court’s assessment of his risk to children was severe. The Probation Service classified him as posing a high risk to minors, underscoring the danger he represented.

Louise Harrison, representing James, acknowledged his understanding of the situation, stating, “Mr James understands that there is very little that I can say on his behalf.” Ultimately, Judge Howard Crowson sentenced James to six and a half years in prison. Additionally, James was subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, which prohibits him from having contact with anyone under 16 or working with individuals under 18. He will also remain on the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.