PAUL ROUGHSEDGE SENTENCED IN HARTFORD FOR INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT WITH CHILDREN

In October 2001, Paul Andrew Roughsedge, a 42-year-old resident of Warren Lane in Hartford, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to acts of gross indecency with children. He appeared before Chester Crown Court last Friday to receive his sentence following a guilty plea.

Prosecutor Simon Medland informed Judge Elgan Edwards that between June 20 and 25, three girls were playing on a rope swing at Hartford Manor Woods, a well-known local play area for children. The girls observed Roughsedge, who was semi-naked, touching himself. Frightened, they fled and informed their parents.

A few days later, on June 26, eight children aged between 12 and 13 were also playing at the same location. They saw Roughsedge repeating the same behavior. One girl questioned his actions and told him to leave, but accounts differ on his response. Some children claim he responded with, “come closer, you know you want to,” while others state he threatened to rape them.

The children ran away in fear, and Roughsedge chased after them, stark naked except for his trainers. He was holding his clothes in one hand and touching himself as he ran.

Mr. Medland stated, “As to the impact on the children, they were shocked and nervous as well. Fortunately, a group of joggers from Vale Royal Athletics Club heard the girls screaming, and the defendant managed to escape.”

On July 5, Roughsedge was apprehended at his workplace, Roberts Bakery. Police subsequently searched his home and discovered letters concealed in a locked black box. These letters contained explicit fantasies involving seduction of a 15-year-old girl and underage boys, with references to wearing women’s underwear.

In his defense, lawyer Ian Unsworth contended, “In relation to the first incident, it is his case that he did not in fact expose himself. As for the second incident, although words were exchanged, he did not use the word ‘rape’.” He further expressed that Roughsedge is remorseful and wishes to apologize to the children and their parents.

Mr. Unsworth added that his client recognizes he has a problem and is willing to seek help to address his 'deviant' sexual fantasies.

Judge Edwards remarked, “This is a worrying case. Conduct of this kind directed at young children in a public place is completely unacceptable. These children, and others like them, need to be protected from individuals like you.”

Roughsedge was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with the requirement that he serves half of that term. Additionally, upon release, he will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.