A 57-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for 20 years for what were described as “among the most egregious sexual offences to come before the Royal Court”.
During a trial in June, Liverpool-born Paul Kelly was found guilty of eight counts of rape, 12 counts of acts of gross indecency with a child, seven counts of indecent assault, and one of grave and criminal assault.
In the Royal Court, Crown Advocate Simon Thomas, prosecuting, described “sustained and regular sexual abuse over a period of eight years” during which Kelly had isolated and groomed the victim.
In a statement read by Crown Advocate Thomas, the victim said: “It’s going to take a lifetime to recover from what happened. I am serving a life sentence due to what Mr Kelly inflicted on me.
“He stole my childhood.
“I mourn the loss of my childhood, adolescence and young adulthood.
“The impact upon my life has been catastrophic.”
The abuse caused “extreme psychological harm”, Crown Advocate Thomas said.
The abuse she suffered had a severe impact on her mental health and the girl had at one point attempted to take her own life.
Advocate Mark Boothman, defending Kelly, said he did not accept guilt and intended to appeal against the verdict in the Court of Appeal.
Kelly was sentenced on to 20 years in prison for all 28 charges, and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 20 years.
