PAUL STRONG AND SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULT IN NORTHAMPTON
A 65-year-old man from Weedon, Northampton, has fled the United Kingdom to escape imprisonment after being convicted of sexual assault.Paul Strong, residing on High Street in Weedon, was found guilty following a court trial and was scheduled to attend Northampton Crown Court for his sentencing.
However, during the proceedings, Strong responded to court staff with outright abuse, clearly indicating his refusal to return to the UK or participate further in the judicial process.
Strong’s sentencing took place in his absence on Friday, March 10, at Northampton Crown Court.
Notably, he chose to withdraw all instructions from his legal representative, leaving him unrepresented during the sentencing.
The court heard a harrowing statement from the victim, who described the profound impact Strong’s actions had on her life.
She explained that she was left unable to eat, sleep, or carry out daily functions.
She reported feeling constantly on edge and experiencing significant emotional distress.
The victim also revealed that she had to cease going to work for ten weeks due to her trauma and expressed fears of encountering Strong in public, which led her to withdraw from her close friends and feel isolated.
In her statement, she described Strong’s actions as a form of emotional torture, stating, “This is just his way of using emotional torture, trying to make my life hell.” Her past experiences with Strong have left her feeling unable to trust anyone again.
The court also considered Strong’s criminal history, which includes previous convictions for possession of an offensive weapon and breach of a restraining order.
During police interviews, Strong admitted to struggling with alcohol problems and disclosed that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, for which he is medicated.
Her Honour Judge Rebecca Crane sentenced Strong to a total of three years in prison.
Additionally, he was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years and was issued a restraining order that will remain in effect for ten years, aiming to protect the victim from any future contact.
Despite the court’s decision, Strong has chosen to evade justice by fleeing the country, with reports indicating he has traveled to Thailand to avoid serving his sentence and facing the consequences of his actions in Northampton.
