JASON PAGAN AND SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULT IN HOLSWORTHY AND EXETER

A man from Devon has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl. Jason Pagan, aged 48, was convicted of the serious offence following a trial held at Exeter Crown Court in October. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Pagan told the young girl he was merely playing with her, but his actions escalated from harmless tickling to inappropriate sexual touching.

According to court reports, Pagan touched the child over her clothing and then proceeded to massage her naked buttocks, an act that caused significant distress and harm to the young victim. The incident took place in the vicinity of Holsworthy, where Pagan resides, specifically in the Higher Roborough area of Ashburton. Despite his claims of innocence, the jury found him guilty of sexual assault, and he was subsequently sentenced on Tuesday, January 11, to 21 months in prison.

During the sentencing hearing, the judge acknowledged that Pagan continued to deny the offences but expressed remorse for the impact his actions had on the child. The judge emphasized the severity of the crime, stating that the young girl had "lost her innocence" as a direct result of the assault. Judge Peter Johnson explained that he had carefully considered whether to suspend the sentence but concluded that immediate custody was necessary due to the ongoing harm inflicted upon the victim.

Prosecutor Ms. Kelly Scrivener highlighted that Pagan maintained his innocence, claiming he was only playing with the girl. However, she pointed out that Pagan had a history of sexual offences, including a conviction from 1993 for three counts of indecent assault on a female under 16. For those offences, he served 42 months in a Young Offenders Institution. Since then, Pagan has faced various other legal issues, including charges related to criminal damage, dishonesty, and threatening someone with an offensive weapon.

Defense lawyer Emily Pitts argued that a suspended sentence might serve the public better, citing Pagan’s difficult childhood and the deterioration of his life following the offence. She described him as being "ashamed, embarrassed and disgusted" by his actions and living a life of significant isolation. Despite these circumstances, she maintained that Pagan was a realistic candidate for rehabilitation and was making efforts to improve his situation.

As part of his sentence, Pagan was also ordered to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which restricts his access to children, and he was instructed to register as a sex offender. The case underscores the ongoing concerns about safeguarding children and the importance of holding offenders accountable for their actions in communities like Holsworthy and Exeter.