A football coach, Paul Edwards Stroud Paedophile, who was convicted of raping a 15-year-old in 2006, has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
Paul Edwards, aged 62, residing at Marling Crescent, Farmhill, Stroud, attended Gloucester Crown Court to receive his sentence on Friday 4 August.
Upon delivering the verdict, Recorder Neil Millard sternly addressed Paul Edwards, stating: “Your heinous act of rape has irreversibly altered the trajectory of that young girl’s life.”
Paul Edwards was indefinitely registered as a sex offender.
In addition, he has been prohibited from engaging in any activities with minors.
According to Prosecutor Giles Nelson, in the summer of 2006, a 15-year-old girl disagreed with her father and sought shelter at an acquaintance’s residence in Minchinhampton, located near Stroud.
“Upon her arrival, she experienced distress and sought solace from the individuals present.” Provisions were made for her to spend the night.
According to him, Paul Edwards was inside the house and asked the girl to join him in his sleeping bed. “She regained consciousness a few hours later, only to discover that Paul Edwards was engaging in sexual activity with her.”
The adolescent informed her sister the subsequent day that she had experienced sexual assault.
According to Mr. Nelson, the individual in question was a minor who could not provide consent for sexual activity. Furthermore, Paul Edwards violated her when she was asleep.
‘Deceived by falsehood’
The victim filed a report of the crime in 2020, and Edwards was initially brought to trial in January of the following year. Nevertheless, the jury was dismissed due to their inability to reach a consensus on a verdict.
Paul Edwards was found guilty during a second trial at Cirencester Court in June of this year.
In the victim’s impact statement, they described the night as a period characterised by intense fear and terror.
“No matter what happens to Paul Edwards at this point, it will never be sufficient retribution for the harm he caused me on that particular night.” “For the past 17 years, he has been living a falsehood,” she stated.
“I have been unable to continue with counselling due to the overwhelming nature of certain sessions.”
She expressed her desire to resume counselling now that Edwards has been sentenced.
‘You are a perpetrator of sexual assault.’
Judge Millard informed Paul Edwards that he had served as a football coach in the local community for a significant portion of his life.
“The individual you targeted was in a susceptible state.” She was in a state of distress. You exploited her. You were intoxicated.
“You had a profound impact on her life that day.” It has been established that you are a perpetrator of sexual assault, explicitly involving minors.
Virginia Cornwall, in defence of Paul Edwards, argued in court that the primary issue at hand was Edwards’ consumption of alcohol on that particular day.
“His existence revolved around coaching football in the local community… [and] he must confront the repercussions of his behaviour.”
She expressed her desire for the jury’s ruling to give the victim a sense of resolution.
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