February 2008 Child-sex shame of arts worker – Jailed for 7 years A COUNCIL arts officer who ran workshops for thousands of children at Salford’s historic Ordsall Hall has been jailed for a string of sex offences against two young girls. Paul Smith, 60, had worked for 10 years at the heritage gem which is a Grade I listed building and visited by school children from all over the region. At Manchester Crown Court, Smith, from Thorpe Street Glossop, was given a seven-year prison sentence. He will serve at least four years but once released will be on licence until the seven years is up.  He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register for life. Smith, pleaded guilty to 11 charges of indecent assault and two of attempted rape.  The offences took place between 1997 and 2003.  The victims were aged about six when the abuse started. Smith was crafts officer at the hall and as well as taking pottery workshops also took part in and organised medieval and Tudor re-enactments there.  He was involved in the museum’s Artbase pottery studio and did talks about exhibitions there. The offences were not connected with the hall and did not take place there. A campaign to raise £1m for essential repairs to Ordsall Hall is currently running and council chiefs are bidding for millions of pounds in lottery cash for further improvements to the building. Coun Barry Warner, whose council brief includes Ordsall Hall, said: “Paul Smith was not in work on the date he was arrested and charged and had been absent from July 17 last year due to sickness. As soon as the council was made aware of the allegations, the details were checked with the police who confirmed he had been arrested and charged. “Mr Smith remained absent due to sickness throughout the period.  “Had he returned to work, he would have been suspended. His employment with the council formally ended at the time of his conviction.” A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault can contact police on 0161 872 5050 or 999 in an emergency.