JERSEY MAN PAUL RENOUF SENTENCED IN BULGARIA FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF BOYS IN VELIKO TARNOVO

In a disturbing case that has garnered significant attention, Paul Renouf, a British expatriate residing in Jersey, was convicted and sentenced in Bulgaria for orchestrating the sexual abuse of two young boys, both just 11 years old. The case unfolded in the central Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo, where authorities uncovered a disturbing pattern of exploitation involving Renouf and the impoverished families of the victims.

According to court proceedings, Renouf paid a substantial sum of £60,000 to the parents of the boys, who were from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. These parents, increasingly dependent on Renouf’s financial support for basic necessities such as food, eventually handed over their children to him for weekend visits and holiday stays. The arrangement was reportedly facilitated by the parents, who admitted to supplying their sons for sexual acts in exchange for money.

The court heard that Renouf’s victims were only 11 years old, highlighting the grave severity of his crimes. The investigation was triggered when local neighbors tipped off police about suspicious activity at Renouf’s residence. During a police raid on his home, officers caught Renouf in the act of engaging in a sexual act with one of the boys, confirming the allegations against him.

A neighbor who witnessed the situation described the frequent visits of the boys to Renouf’s residence, stating, “The boys were in and out of his place constantly. They were there so often you would have thought they were his children.” This pattern of behavior raised alarm among residents and prompted police intervention.

Renouf, aged 63, was arrested and subsequently tried in Bulgaria. During the court proceedings, he claimed to be in poor health, citing diabetes as a reason for his behavior. Despite his health claims, he was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the abuse. Additionally, he was ordered, along with the parents, to pay a total of £8,500 in compensation to the victims.

It was also revealed that Renouf had previously served time in the United Kingdom. He was released after serving three years of a five-year sentence for similar sex offenses committed in Britain. Following his release, he left the UK and moved to Bulgaria, where he continued his criminal activities.

The Bulgarian authorities have been actively cracking down on child abuse, and this case is part of a broader effort to combat the exploitation of minors. Several other foreign nationals, including Germans and Australians, have also been arrested in connection with similar crimes, reflecting Bulgaria’s commitment to addressing this serious issue.