CHELTENHAM TRANSGENDER WOMAN PAULINE LONG SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE

In June 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Pauline Long, a 60-year-old woman from Cheltenham, who was convicted of heinous crimes committed against two young children during her time as a man named Paul Long. The court proceedings revealed a series of deeply troubling offenses that have left lasting scars on the victims.

Pauline Long appeared before the court to face charges that included the exploitation and abuse of two children under the age of 10. The allegations detailed that Long had engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with one of the children, forcing them to touch her in a sexual manner. Additionally, she was accused of showing extreme pornographic images to a young child, an act that underscores the severity of her misconduct.

The prosecution, led by Giles Nelson, outlined that Long had also produced an indecent image of a child, further compounding the gravity of her crimes. The court heard how her actions had inflicted significant emotional and psychological trauma on her victims. Both children, who were under 10 at the time of the abuse, suffered immensely, with the consequences manifesting as trust issues and diminished self-esteem that could affect them for years to come.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Martin Picton addressed the court and the victims directly. He emphasized that the harm caused by Long was extraordinary, stating, “The harm that you have caused is outwith the norm, even for offences of this type.” The judge also remarked that Long’s gender transition did not serve as an explanation for her behavior, asserting, “The fact of Long’s gender reassignment does not begin to explain why you behaved as you did.”

Judge Picton criticized Long’s lack of remorse, noting that she remained in denial about her actions. He acknowledged the bravery of the victims in coming forward and expressed hope that their courage would encourage other victims to report similar crimes, strengthening the justice process.

He described Long as a bully and a monster who terrorized her young victims for her own sexual gratification. The judge concluded by sentencing her to a total of 12 years in prison, affirming that her incarceration was necessary to prevent further harm. “It’s good that she’s now behind bars where she can’t cause any further harm,” he stated, underscoring the importance of protecting children from such predatory behavior.