PAUL KNAPPETT OF LOWESTOFT SENTENCED TO 24 YEARS FOR CHILD RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE IN IPSWICH AND STOCKTON

In a harrowing case that spans multiple locations and years, Paul Knappett, a 56-year-old man from Cambridge Road in Lowestoft, has been sentenced to a total of 24 years in prison after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses involving a young boy. The crimes, which include six counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault, took place when the victim was under the age of eleven.

The case came to light after a lengthy trial at Ipswich Crown Court, where Knappett maintained his innocence by pleading not guilty. Despite his denial, the jury found him guilty of all eight charges following the presentation of evidence, including testimony from the victim himself. The court proceedings culminated on Friday, 29 July, with a sentencing that reflected the gravity of his crimes. Knappett was sentenced to 18 years for the rape and sexual assault charges, and an additional six years was added to his sentence as a dangerous offender, bringing his total incarceration period to 24 years.

However, the story of Paul Knappett’s criminal history extends back several years. In December 2012, he was already serving an eight-year sentence after being convicted of child abuse in Stockton. At that time, he was 53 years old and had relocated from the North-East to the south, specifically to Suffolk, believing he had escaped justice. His assumption was shattered when one of his victims, who had learned that he had married and fathered children, decided to contact the police.

Knappett was subsequently arrested at his new residence in Suffolk. During police interviews, he confessed to abusing a boy and a girl in Stockton during the late 1980s. The crimes had left deep psychological scars on his victims, as detailed during a hearing at Teesside Crown Court. Prosecutor David Crook described how Knappett had, at one point, acted in a manner akin to a pimp, taking a young boy to a friend’s house and coercing him into participating in a sexual act. The boy, however, fought back and reported the incident, but initially, his account was not believed, allowing Knappett to evade punishment at that time.

The prosecutor also highlighted the plight of the girl victim, who was too frightened to disclose her abuse at the time. She later revealed in a victim impact statement that she had believed the abuse was normal until she received sex education at school. Both victims expressed their pain and anger, with the girl stating, “I hate him for what he did to me. I would like Paul Knappett to know he has destroyed my life. He took away my childhood... I have suffered continuously while he has got on with his life.”

In court, Knappett’s legal representative, Victoria Lamballe, acknowledged the severity of his actions, describing them as “unforgivable” and recognizing the damage caused. As part of his sentencing, Knappett was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was prohibited from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16.

Throughout the proceedings, the case underscored the long-lasting impact of childhood abuse and the importance of justice for victims, regardless of how much time has passed since the crimes occurred. The sentences handed down serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of such heinous acts, and the community in Lowestoft and Stockton can only hope that justice has finally been served for the victims involved.