PAUL FITCHETT FROM TROWBRIDGE JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN SWINDON AND HIGHWORTH
In a case that has shocked the local communities of Swindon, Highworth, and Trowbridge, Paul Fitchett, aged 52 and a resident of Parsonage Road in Trowbridge, was convicted of serious child sexual offences committed during the 1980s.The conviction follows a detailed trial at Swindon Crown Court, where the jury found him guilty of multiple counts of gross indecency and indecent assault involving a young boy.
According to court proceedings, the offences took place over a two-year period leading up to February 1984, with incidents occurring in both Swindon and Highworth.
The victim, now in his 40s, recounted a troubled life marked by the trauma inflicted during his childhood.
He reported two separate incidents of sexual abuse to police in February, which ultimately led to Fitchett’s conviction.
The first incident occurred when the victim was approximately six and a half to seven years old.
At that time, Fitchett, who was acquainted with the boy’s parents, was babysitting the child.
The court heard that Fitchett called the boy upstairs, where he was engaged in a sexual act on himself.
During this encounter, Fitchett persuaded the young boy to touch him afterward, an act that left a lasting impact on the victim.
The second incident took place about a year later, when both were staying at a house in Highworth.
During this visit, Fitchett allegedly sneaked into the boy’s bed and engaged in inappropriate touching.
He also coerced the young boy into touching him, further compounding the trauma inflicted.
Prosecutor Giles Nelson emphasized the profound effect these events had on the victim, noting that he struggled with behavioural issues, including problems at school, and turned to alcohol and drugs as a means of coping.
Despite Fitchett’s denial of the allegations, the jury found him guilty of both counts of sexual misconduct.
Following the verdict, Judge Peter Blair QC sentenced Fitchett to 30 months in prison.
The judge also ordered him to register as a sex offender indefinitely and to pay costs amounting to £250.
The court had initially released Fitchett on bail while awaiting pre-sentence reports from the probation service, but he was remanded into custody following the sentencing.
Fitchett’s case highlights the ongoing issues of child abuse and the importance of justice for victims.
His conviction serves as a reminder of the long-lasting effects such crimes can have on individuals and communities alike.
