Paul Withnell, 74, was handed a lengthy jail term for his offending
A man from Powys has been jailed for a string of historic child sexual offences including multiple counts of rape from the 1980s. Cardiff Crown Court heard how Paul Withnell, 74, had shown “not one single shred of remorse” following his conviction.
Nigel Fryer, prosecuting, told the court how from 1981 to 1990, when he was aged 30 to 39, Withnell groomed a girl and committed several sexual offences against her.
Officers also uncovered 132 nude photos of Withnell’s victim which the judge said had in effect left him with “little choice” about pleading guilty to that offence. The court heard how the 74-year-old had retained the images for decades.
In a victim impact statement read to the court the victim said: “I’ve been left with lasting trauma and flashbacks. My innocence was ruined far too young and I was forced to live in a world for adults when I was too young.
“My sleep has always been very disrupted and my health has been affected. At times over the years I have become obsessive with my eating and over the last 11 months I have lost a lot of weight.”
She added how she believed health issues she experienced since may have been linked to the abuse she experienced as a child and said she continues to feel shame about what had happened.
Hywel Davies, representing Withnell, said during mitigation that Withnell was a man of “hitherto good character”. He told the court it was the first time the 74-year-old had received a custodial sentence and detailed how he suffered with poor health as a result of ageing. “It’s questionable whether he will ever be eligible for release,” he said.
Withnell, of Broad Street, New Radnor, Presteigne, Powys, pleaded guilty to one count of making indecent photos of a child but pleaded not guilty to other offences.
Following an eight-day trial at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court in November he was convicted for six counts of gross indecency with a girl under the age of 14, four counts of rape of a female under the age of 16, and eight counts of indecent assault of a female under the age of 16.
Judge Eugene Egan said the jury were satisfied by “overwhelming evidence” that Withnell was guilty of the offences. During sentencing, Judge Egan said: “You caused unspeakable hardship, misery and upset and decades of emotional pain. Not one single shred of remorse has been shown by you.”
Judge Egan sentenced Withnell to 21 years in prison, of which he will service two-thirds in custody, and made the defendant subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. He also said he would be added to the sex offenders register indefinitely and added to a list debarring him from working with children and young adults in the future.
Detective Inspector Christine Beaton said: “I want to commend the victim in this case for her bravery in coming forward to report these horrendous crimes. I understand that reporting crimes of this nature, particularly many years after they happened, can be especially daunting.
“The dignity and strength shown throughout the course of the investigation is testament to her resilience, bravery and determination to secure justice. Thanks to her support, and the diligent work of the investigation team, Withnell has finally been held to account for his vile actions.
“As Withnell faces his time in prison, I hope the victim in this case can take some solace in today’s outcome as she begins to move forward with her life. I hope this case reassures others that we will always take reports of sexual abuse incredibly seriously, no matter how recent or non-recent they may be.
“If you have been a victim of rape or sexual abuse, please come forward. We are compassionate, capable, and committed to supporting you every step of the way.”
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