Trial of man accused of sexually abusing child for years begins

Tuesday 20 June 2023

The trial of a 56-year-old man who denies sexually abusing a young girl over a number of years and holding her head underwater when she refused to do what he wanted has begun in the Royal Court.

Liverpool-born Paul Kelly is charged with of 10 counts of rape, 19 counts of sexual touching or encouraging a child to touch him sexually, and one of grave and criminal assault.

During the first day of the trial, the complainant claimed that she was repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted when she was under the age of 16 – but at first thought it was normal.

The court was played a video of an interview recorded two years ago in which she described the alleged abuse, which was said to have started when she was under the age of eight.

She said he touched her indecently and made her touch him indecently. Mr Kelly was alleged to have raped her for the first time two years later.

Crown Advocate Simon Thomas, prosecuting, said in his opening remarks: "It escalated into the most serious form of sexual abuse.

"She didn’t realise it was wrong." In the interview, the woman said: "...I just did what I was told, really. When I started to realise it wasn’t normal I became quite distressed."

Advocate Thomas said that it subsequently had a "pretty devastating" effect on her performance at school.

He claimed that on one occasion Mr Kelly "got really angry" and held the girl's head under water when she refused to do what he wanted.

"He let go after a few seconds but it was really scary. To the prosecution this was a grave and criminal assault," Advocate Thomas added.

He also said that an examination by a doctor had uncovered scarring in the woman’s genital area that was either caused by an accident or by sexual assault.

The trial, which is expected to last six days, continues today.

SUPPORT...

Islanders affected by any of the issues raised in this report can contact any of the following:

SARC at Dewberry House provides expert independent and confidential support to victims of sexual abuse. Tel: 01534 888222. 

Jersey Action Against Rape (JAAR) provide and maintain a supporting framework for survivors and their families. Confidential helpline: 01534 482800.

Jersey Women’s Refuge offer help and support for victims of domestic abuse. Tel: 0800 7356836.

Victim Support offer free and confidential advice to victims of crime. Tel: 01534 440496. 

Victims First Jersey is a free and independent service offering confidential support to victims and witnesses of crime. Tel: 0800 7351612. 

Samaritans offer a confidential and non-judgemental listening ear to people who need to talk. Tel: 116 123 free from any phone or 0330 094 5717 (local call charges apply).