PAUL BETTS FROM TADLEY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN MANCHESTER AND DEVON

In a case that has shocked the local communities, Paul Betts, a man residing in Tadley, has been sentenced to five years in prison for a series of serious sexual offences committed nearly three decades ago. The offences, which spanned from 1996 to 1997, involved grooming and sexually assaulting young children, and the case was brought to a close at Manchester Crown Court on Friday, 28 April 2023.

Paul Betts, born on August 3, 1972, and living on Hawkley Drive in Hampshire, appeared before the court to face charges related to his actions in the mid-1990s. The court found him guilty of multiple counts of indecent assault and indecency with minors, involving victims aged 11 and 13. Specifically, Betts was convicted of indecently assaulting an 11-year-old girl between October and December 1996, and again from December 1996 to February 1997. He was also found guilty of indecency with a child under 14 years old between January and May 1997.

Further charges included four counts of indecent assault against the same 11-year-old girl between February and May 1997, as well as two counts of indecent assault against a 13-year-old girl in July 1997. The court heard that Betts, who was working as a chef at a restaurant in Gorton, Manchester at the time, engaged in grooming behaviors that involved buying gifts and giving attention to the young victims, making them believe they were in a relationship.

The grooming and assaults took place over several months, during which Betts exploited the trust of the children. Once his actions came to light, Betts disappeared from the scene, leaving the victims and their families distressed. The 11-year-old girl, however, showed remarkable bravery by reporting the abuse to Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Subsequently, the case was transferred to Devon and Cornwall Police, as Betts had moved to that area.

Additional victims have come forward since the initial reports, shedding further light on Betts’s predatory behavior. The court’s sentencing reflects the severity of his crimes, and Betts will now serve a five-year prison term. Moreover, he will be registered on the sex offender’s register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

This case highlights the importance of vigilance and the bravery of victims in coming forward to seek justice, even many years after the offences occurred. The community in Tadley and beyond will be watching closely as Betts begins his sentence, and the case serves as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of such crimes.