Locations
Yewtree Avenue, Shildon, County Durham, DL4
Description
A County Durham pervert has been jailed for having sexual activity with a child and sexually assaulting a woman.
Paul Bell denied the offences but was found guilty following a three-day trial at Durham Crown Court last week. The 41-year-old appeared back in front of a judge at the court on Thursday to be sentenced for sexual assault, sexual activity with a child, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
The court heard Bell, who appeared at the court via link from HMP Durham, carried out the offences while drunk.
Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, read from victim statements of both victims, who described what impact Bell's offending had had on them. One said it had affected her mental health and left her feeling nervous whenever around anyone who has been drinking. She added she did not think she would ever be able to forget her experience.
The younger victim said she had feared not being believed and had been left unable to sleep. She added her education had suffered as a result.
Ian West, defending, said Bell was of previous good character but added that he was "limited" with what he could say on his behalf due to him being found guilty after a trial.
Judge James Adkin told Bell, of Yewtree Avenue, Shildon, he had left his victims suffering with trauma and anxiety. He said: "One victim suffered significant trauma after what you did when you were drunk."
He added that Bell could "not control your attraction to a child" and sentenced him to 46 months in prison. Bell will also be on the sex offender's register for life and a restraining order was also imposed. A life time sexual harm prevention order was also made.