PAUL HORNE SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN GREETLAND

In a case that has shocked the community of Greetland, Paul Horne, aged 35, has been sentenced to a lengthy 15-year prison term after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offences involving young girls. The conviction follows a detailed and emotionally charged trial at Bradford Crown Court, where the jury deliberated over five days before reaching their verdicts.

During the proceedings, Horne was depicted by police images with tears streaming down his face, a stark contrast to the severity of the crimes for which he was convicted. The court heard that Horne had indecently assaulted one young girl nearly two decades ago, a crime that had remained unpunished until now. Additionally, the jury found him guilty of a series of more recent sexual offences committed against another young girl, which included assault by penetration, sexual assault, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, Horne was acquitted of charges of rape and physical assault concerning the most recent complainant. He was also cleared of rape and attempted rape allegations involving a third individual. The judge, James Goss QC, expressed his disapproval of Horne’s conduct, noting that the defendant had shown no remorse for his actions. Judge Goss described Horne’s behavior towards the second victim as “dreadful” and emphasized the seriousness of the offences.

As part of his sentencing, Horne will be subject to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order. This order explicitly prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16. Furthermore, Horne will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions aimed at protecting the community.

Det Insp Gail Lawrie, from Calderdale’s Safeguarding Unit, commented on the lengthy and challenging investigation, which spanned over two years. She acknowledged the courage it took for the victims to relive their traumatic experiences during the legal process. Lawrie expressed hope that the sentence would provide some reassurance to the victims and serve as a reminder of the community’s commitment to safeguarding children from such heinous crimes.