RICHARD PATON FROM BURY SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR RAPE IN BURY

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Bury, a man named Richard Paton has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of heinous sexual offenses. The incident, which took place in the town of Bury, involved the assault of two young women, both in their twenties, and has prompted a strong response from law enforcement authorities.

Richard Paton, born on January 24, 1970, and residing on Tennyson Avenue in Bury, was brought before Minshull Street Crown Court on October 19, 2018. During the court proceedings, he pleaded guilty to four counts of rape, leading to his sentencing to 15 years in prison. The court also ordered that upon his release, he will serve an additional eight years on license, and he will be registered as a sex offender for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

The first victim, a woman in her twenties, was out in Bury with a friend during the early hours of July 2018. After they became separated, she was approached by Paton near The Rock shopping centre, close to McDonald's, at approximately 4:30 a.m. He initially offered to help her find a taxi to get home. However, instead of assisting her, Paton led her to a secluded area where he committed the assault, raping her twice. Fearing for her safety, the woman allowed Paton to accompany her back to McDonald's, where she sought help at the counter. Witnesses noted that Paton was bare-chested and covered in dirt at this time, and he quickly fled the scene after overhearing her plea for assistance.

Later that month, Paton committed a second assault on another woman, also in her twenties. This victim was at Bury Market when Paton approached her, engaging her in conversation and inviting her for a drink. She accepted, and they went to his home. Once inside, Paton locked the door and threatened her with a knife before raping her twice. After the assault, the woman managed to leave the premises and flagged down a passing vehicle for help.

Law enforcement officials were able to identify Paton through CCTV footage from a local supermarket. The footage clearly showed a distinctive tattoo on the back of his head, featuring the letters 'LFC' with five stars beneath it. Despite the evidence, Paton claimed that both rapes were consensual and denied threatening the second woman with a knife, attempting to cast doubt on the victims' accounts.

Detective Constable Ian Smith from Greater Manchester Police’s Bury Division commented on the case, stating, “Paton is a predatory opportunist. He targeted two young women when they were at their most vulnerable before forcing himself upon them. What he has subjected these two young women to is unimaginable. Through their bravery in reporting these incidents, we have been able to remove a dangerous individual from our streets. We hope that today’s sentence provides them with some closure on their terrible ordeal, and they can continue their emotional recovery knowing he is behind bars – where he belongs.”