PAUL DRURY FROM TEIGNMOUTH SENTENCED FOR SYSTEMATIC ABUSE AND RAPE IN DAWLISH

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Teignmouth and Dawlish, Paul Drury, a 56-year-old martial arts instructor, has been sentenced to 15 years and six months in prison for his heinous crimes involving the systematic abuse and rape of a young girl. The offences span several years and include multiple instances of sexual assault, some of which took place at his own martial arts academy in Dawlish.

Paul Drury, who operated under the name Paul Drury's Black Belt Academy in Dawlish, was described by his victim as a 'sick, evil and twisted man.' The victim, who was under the age of 13 when the grooming began, recounted how Drury engaged in sexual activities with her hundreds of times over a prolonged period. These assaults included encounters at his martial arts school, where he was a black belt kickboxer. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that when the girl tried to resist or fight him off, Drury dismissed her concerns by telling her that what he was doing was normal and that she would have to accept it.

The investigation uncovered disturbing evidence beyond the abuse itself. Authorities found indecent images of children stored on Drury's laptop, and chat room comments in which he appeared to take 'revel' in the abuse of children. These findings painted a picture of a man who not only committed these crimes but also actively endorsed and enjoyed the exploitation of minors.

Judge Simon Carr addressed the court, emphasizing the gravity of Drury's actions. He stated, “You have pleaded guilty to the serious and systematic abuse of the victim. It started with sexual grooming, intending to prepare her for the rapes that followed. She was told this was normal and she would have to accept it. She showed enormous courage to fight back but it had no effect on you whatsoever. The effect on her is self-evident. It will have a devastating psychological effect on her which she will have to live with for the rest of her life.”

Further, the judge noted that during the police search of Drury’s computer, a limited number of images depicting child sexual abuse were discovered. In online chat rooms, Drury was found to have endorsed child abuse and appeared to take pleasure in his actions. Despite his crimes, Drury admitted to three counts of rape and four counts of making or pseudo-photographs of children. When questioned about the images, he initially attempted to shift blame onto a business competitor, claiming that the images had been planted on his laptop.

Mary McCarthy, representing Drury in mitigation, highlighted that by pleading guilty, Drury had spared his victim the ordeal of a court trial. She explained that Drury had been open in discussions about his actions and expressed clear disgust for what he had done. She also pointed out that he had established a martial arts school with his wife, which had safeguarding policies in place, and that he had contributed positively to the community through his work.

In sentencing, Judge Carr imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting Drury’s contact with children and mandated that he be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. These measures aim to prevent any further harm and ensure ongoing monitoring of his activities. The case remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals in positions of trust and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children in all community settings.