Locations
Tickenham Road, Clevedon, Somerset, BS21
Description
Paul Burchill jailed after admitting vile abuse of children as well as raping a woman
A chicken coop cleaner confronted with historical allegations of child abuse told police 'I was an animal, I'm guilty as hell'.
Paul Burchill admitted subjecting two youngsters to a catalogue of vile sexual assaults, as well as raping a young woman.
The 65-year-old, of Tickenham Road in Clevedon pleaded guilty to four indecent assaults and attempted rape of one girl aged under 15.
He also admitted five indecent assault charges relating to a second child under 13 and raping a woman.
Judge James Patrick jailed him for 13 years.
He told Burchill: "You are 65 and have not been in trouble before.
"This will be your first prison sentence.
"Your remorse is said to be genuine."
Burchill was barred from working from children and vulnerable adults. He was told to register as a sex offender for life.
'It felt horrible and disgusting'
Mark Worsley, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Burchill abused the first complainant and, when she complained, called her a "miserable s**g".
The court heard the victim had since suffered night terrors and is unable to trust anyone.
Burchill abused the second girl and made her perform sex acts on him, the court heard.
She made an impact statement in which she said: "It felt horrible and disgusting."
Mr Maunder said an earlier attempt to prosecute Burchill for raping the young woman was not proceeded with.
When the allegations were later reported Burchill told police: "I was an animal, I'm guilty as hell."
He admitted abusing his victims and, regarding the rape, said he was half-drunk and: "The animal inside me came out."
David Maunder, defending, told the court: "He has always accepted his guilt in principle.
"He has been at pains to avoid a trial, genuinely for the victims.
"He is anxious that he did not want them to go through the process.
"He said 'they have been put through enough already'.
"He understands he has seriously damaged their lives, irrepairably."
Mr Maunder said his client was at a complete loss to explain why he was capable of committing the offences.
He said: "He doesn't recognise himself in them."