Back in 2016, an elderly Eastbourne paedophile Paul Philpott, said, “It’s all lies,” while directing an accusatory finger at one of his victims as he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexual abuse occurring over fifty years ago.
Hopefully, he is dead, but we feel his name should live on for his close ones who knew what he had done.
Paul Philpott’s spouse wept while seated in a wheelchair beside the court following the sentencing on Tuesday.
The 79-year-old retiree, Paul Philpott, residing in Tunbridge Wells during the 1960s offences, was convicted in April of four counts of child indecency and one count of indecent assault.
A jury at Maidstone Crown Court was informed that one of the victims continues to experience flashbacks.
She told of being molested in a dark room, the force Paul Philpott used and her “fear of the man”. She added it left her feeling ashamed and to blame.
“It was a long time ago and I have had it in a place in my head,” she said. “I was small, helpless. I just get flashbacks of the same thing. I was afraid all the time.
“It’s not something that I speak about but it’s something constantly with me. Even now when I speak about it, the distress it causes me.”
Paul Philpott, now of Kingfisher Drive, Eastbourne, was first arrested in 2013 and then again last year, when a second woman came forward and made a single allegation.
Prosecutor Nicholas Hall said each time he denied anything untoward had happened.
The second woman told police that as a child she had been “enticed” by Paul Philpott.
Jennifer Gray, defending the paedophile, said Philpott was in poor health and his wife had suffered strokes.
“The convictions will have a great effect on her,” said Miss Gray. “There has been a great passage of time – 45 years since the last allegation. This is a man in the twilight of his life.”
Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said the offences amounted to oral rape involving two young girls. One of them was subjected to a “sustained campaign of sexual abuse”.
“The psychological effects of such offences on such young victims are always likely to be severe,” he continued.
“All these offences were committed a very long time ago. They involved planning and grooming. There is only little mitigation. On any view a custodial term of significant length is demanded.”
Paul Philpott’s name will appear indefinitely on the sex offenders’ register.
Detective Constable David Turner, the investigating officer, said: “Paul Philpott sexually abused these very young girls and they have had to live with the trauma of what had happened well into adult life.
“This conviction shows that reports made by victims of historic abuse will always be taken seriously and we hope his prison sentence will encourage other victims of this type of abuse to come forward.
“Any complaint of this type will be investigated thoroughly by specialist officers, with victims treated with care and understanding.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.