PAUL HOWELL OF APERLEY SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN EXETER AND TEWKESBURY

In a case that has spanned decades, Paul Howell, a 69-year-old resident of Ringers Close in Apperley near Tewkesbury, has been convicted of serious sexual offenses committed against two young girls during his time in Devon. The crimes, which took place in the late 1960s and early 1970s, have left lasting scars on the victims, who are now in their 50s and 60s.

Howell’s abusive actions began when he was a student at a boarding school and continued during holidays, according to court proceedings. His misconduct persisted even after he joined the military police, a career that did not prevent him from grooming and assaulting the girls. The court heard that Howell used manipulative tactics such as giving gifts and money to his victims, aiming to silence them through fear and intimidation.

The first victim, who was only eight years old at the time, was raped by Howell, while the second girl, aged 11, was subjected to sexual assault. Both girls endured these traumatic experiences in silence for many years, living with the psychological consequences of Howell’s abuse. They eventually found the courage to speak out, with one of them writing a heartfelt statement describing how the abuse had overshadowed her entire life. She expressed her desire to stand up for her younger self, stating, “I am an adult now, but it was a small, quite innocent child, who was abused and raped. She never had a voice as a child, so I am standing up for her now. She deserved better. I am compelled to do this for her and for myself. I have lived with 50 years of fear and intimidation.”

The other woman also shared her painful experience, revealing that Howell’s instructions to keep the abuse secret fostered feelings of shame and low self-worth. She explained, “He instructed me to keep it secret and that led to feelings of shame and lack of self worth. I have been stranded with this and have sought counselling. I cannot look at the news in case there is a story about children. When people compliment me, I feel uncomfortable because it reminds me of his grooming.”

In court, Howell admitted to charges of rape and indecent assault. The judge, Recorder Mr. Simon Levene, sentenced him to 12 years in prison, with an additional one-year extended license period. The court emphasized the severity of Howell’s actions and the profound psychological harm inflicted upon his victims, stating, “You must have known how wrong your actions were, however young you were at the time.”

Prosecutor Mr. Richard Crabb provided context, explaining that Howell grew up in Exeter and that the abuse occurred during his visits to the city. The first girl was assaulted when she was 11 and 12 years old in the late 1960s, with Howell touching her breasts and making her touch him. The second girl was abused multiple times between the ages of eight and 13, including at least three instances of rape. Over the years, both women confided in friends about their experiences, and one finally reported the abuse to police in 2017 after discussing it with a counselor. This led to the identification and subsequent testimony of the second victim.

It was also revealed that Howell had previously served time for manslaughter, having been jailed for 30 months at Bristol Crown Court in 1985 for strangling his wife to death in 1984. Howell denied all allegations of abuse initially and attempted to take his own life the day before his trial last year. However, he recovered and changed his plea to guilty just days before a new trial was scheduled, leading to his current sentence. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victims, who have endured decades of pain and silence.