PAUL BALDOCK SENTENCED TO 21 MONTHS IN JAIL IN PORTSMITH FOR CHILD OFFICE MISCONDUCT

In November 2008, Paul Baldock, a 44-year-old former pre-school worker from New Road, Lake, was sentenced to 21 months in prison after admitting to serious misconduct involving young girls. Baldock pleaded guilty to assaulting a girl under 13 by kissing her, as well as to seven counts of creating indecent images of children and one count of theft, which involved taking a girl’s pants between January 1, 2006, and February 15, 2008.

During the hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court, it was revealed that Baldock had befriended girls while working at a holiday club in West Wight and at the Shalfleet Little Explorers pre-school group. Following the allegations, he was suspended and later resigned from his position at the pre-school.

Prosecutor Paul Dugdale stated that Baldock had posed the young girls in clothing he selected before photographing them and had sent one of them a Valentine card. In court, Anthony Bailey, representing Baldock, commented on the impact of the case, saying, "This man clearly has serious problems. He has never been in prison before. Prison fills him with horror," and added that Baldock’s family had been significantly affected, with both he and his wife becoming bankrupt.

However, Judge Ian Pearson emphasized the severity of the misconduct, stating, "This was a gross breach of trust. You were in a position of responsibility and you abused that trust.” Consequently, Baldock was sentenced to 21 months in custody, placed on the sex offenders' register for ten years, and given an indefinite ban from working with children.