TREVOR PADDON FROM HALL RECEIVES SUSPENDED SENTENCE AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT NEAR DARTMOOR

In a case that has spanned nearly six years, Trevor Paddon, a 59-year-old man from Hall, was convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl in his car on the outskirts of Dartmoor. The incident, which occurred in April 2008, was only brought to light after years of silence and multiple court proceedings. Paddon-Hall, a married man and former charity worker, faced a jury at Plymouth Crown Court where he was found guilty of indecent assault, despite denying the charges.

During the sentencing hearing, the court heard how the victim, whose identity remains protected, displayed remarkable bravery by giving evidence at two separate trials. Her courage was publicly acknowledged by Judge Paul Darlow, who praised her for seeing the case through when many others might have chosen to remain silent. The girl, who was a passenger in Paddon-Hall’s vehicle at the time, recounted how he drove her down a secluded country lane on the edge of Dartmoor before assaulting her. The judge described the act as an opportunistic attack, emphasizing the vulnerability of the young girl and the predatory nature of the offense.

The court was informed that the girl had confided in family friends shortly after the incident, which took place in April 2008. Her family was made aware, but the matter was not immediately reported to law enforcement. It was only years later, at a public event, that an allegation was shouted out, prompting police to reopen the case. The legal process was prolonged, with the trial scheduled four times from February 2012. The girl provided evidence via video link on two occasions, but the proceedings were delayed multiple times. It was not until December of the previous year that Paddon-Hall was finally convicted.

During the trial, Paddon-Hall claimed he could not have been driving the vehicle at the time because he had his left arm in a cast. However, the jury rejected his defense after a four-day trial, leading to his conviction. The court heard that the victim had been prescribed antidepressants and had undergone counseling, highlighting the emotional toll the assault had taken on her. She expressed her desire to move forward with her life, stating, “I just want to move on with my life, put it behind and start afresh. I want to restart my life where it could and should have been.”

In sentencing, Judge Darlow emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating, “You isolated a vulnerable young girl in a car down a country lane and took the opportunity to sexually attack her.” Paddon-Hall was supported by his wife during the proceedings, but he was given a sentence of ten months in prison, suspended for two years, along with 18 months of probation supervision. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £800 towards prosecution costs.

Legal representative Ali Rafati highlighted Paddon-Hall’s medical conditions, including dropping syndrome, angina, and high blood pressure, arguing that incarceration would deny him access to necessary treatment. Rafati also noted Paddon-Hall’s previous work as an ambulance driver and his charitable efforts, which involved leading mercy missions abroad. Despite these contributions, the court acknowledged the serious nature of the crime and the impact on the victim, marking a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for vulnerable victims.