RAYMOND PATERSON'S HORRIFIC SEX OFFENCES IN HULL LEAVE YOUNG GIRLS TRAUMATIZED
Raymond Paterson, a 77-year-old man from Hull, has been convicted of multiple serious sexual offences involving two young girls, along with breaches of a sexual harm prevention order.His criminal history is extensive, with a total of 15 prior convictions, nine of which relate to sexual misconduct.
The recent offences occurred between March and November of the previous year, during which Paterson engaged in inappropriate and predatory behaviors toward the victims.
Court proceedings detailed how he manipulated the younger girl by twice tapping her on the bottom and urging her to be a good girl, actions that clearly caused her discomfort and distress.
These incidents, which also involved him repeatedly kissing his fingers, touching her face daily over a span of more than a month, left her struggling with nightmares and sleep disturbances.
In addition to these acts, Paterson exploited a second victim, a girl who was introduced to him through her mother.
The victim’s mother, feeling pity and believing she was helping Paterson through their shared battles with cancer, unwittingly became part of his manipulation.
Paterson made sexualised remarks to the girl, physically touched her chest multiple times—about three or four occasions—and engaged in inappropriate actions such as grabbing her face, rubbing her hand against his cheek, and stroking her hair.
These encounters resulted in the girl suffering from heightened anxiety and emotional distress.
Further violations occurred when Paterson breached the terms of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order issued in July 2011.
This order was put in place following his six-year imprisonment for raping a girl under 13 and causing another girl to engage in sexual activity.
Despite this, Paterson allowed the young girls into his home, an action that was not only illegal but also exceptionally reckless given his criminal history.
The court heard that Paterson had a long history of offending, including a total of nine sexual offences among his 15 previous convictions.
During the hearing, his lawyer, David Godfrey, acknowledged that a pre-sentence report painted a bleak picture of Paterson’s mental state, noting that he appeared to be in denial despite making some admissions.
Mr.
Godfrey stressed that Paterson, apart from these crimes, had led a seemingly decent life and expressed hope of moving into sheltered accommodation upon his release from prison.
However, the presiding judge, Judge John Thackray QC, was unequivocal in condemning Paterson’s actions and his criminal record.
He reminded Paterson that in 2011, a relatively lenient six-year sentence was handed down for very serious offenses, including the rape of a child under 13.
Despite this, Paterson's subsequent conduct demonstrated a gross disregard for the safety of children, with the court establishing that he posed a significant risk of causing further harm.
During the eight months of 2021, Paterson intentionally targeted vulnerable young children, using manipulation and dishonest tactics to befriend women with children, further facilitating his abuse.
His actions culminated in a conviction for being a dangerous offender, resulting in a three-year prison sentence, with an extended five-year license period following release, underscoring the serious nature of his crimes and ongoing threat to child safety.
This case highlights the importance of vigilance and strict monitoring of offenders with histories of sexual abuse, especially those with previous sentences and breaches of legal restrictions designed to protect vulnerable individuals.
Raymond Paterson’s conduct has left lasting scars on the victims, and the legal system’s response aims to prevent any further harm from this individual.
