PAUL JENNINGS AND ADRIAN JAGGER FROM STALLINGBOROUGH SENTENCED AGAIN FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN HULL

In a disturbing case that has once again shocked the community, two convicted paedophiles, Paul Jennings and Adrian Jagger, both of Stallingborough, have been sentenced to additional prison time after new evidence linked them to a sexual offence involving a young boy in the Grimsby area in 2011. The revelations came to light during a recent trial at Hull Crown Court, where both men faced serious charges related to their previous criminal activities.

Paul Jennings, aged 67, and his partner, Adrian Jagger, aged 56, had previously been convicted in 2015 of over 30 sexual offences committed against four young boys. Their initial convictions followed a lengthy trial at Grimsby Crown Court, where the jury found them guilty of a series of heinous crimes. Jennings, then 59, was convicted of 17 offences, including rape, gross indecency with a child, and sexual activity with a minor. He admitted an additional offence, and was subsequently sentenced to 16 years in prison. Jagger, at the time 48, was convicted of 14 offences, including gross indecency, sexual assault, and inciting a child to engage in sexual acts. He also admitted one offence and received a 12-year sentence.

These men were described as having inflicted 'horrendous suffering' on their victims, whose lives had been profoundly affected by the abuse. The court heard that their actions had 'badly affected' the children involved, with their childhoods effectively stolen from them. Both men served their sentences but later released, with links to the Hull area emerging during their time in freedom.

However, the story took a new turn when authorities uncovered evidence of a further offence committed in 2011, involving another young boy in the Grimsby region. This new evidence prompted a retrial, during which Jennings pleaded guilty to the charges, while Jagger was convicted after a trial. Jennings, who had already been recalled to prison for breaching his licence conditions, was sentenced to an additional two years. Jagger, who did not receive credit for his guilty plea, was sentenced to three years in prison.

The victim, now an adult, provided a heartfelt statement describing the devastating impact of the abuse. He stated, 'I was only a child. I bottled this up. I didn’t want to be known as a kid that was abused. It makes me feel dirty. I had to take medication. If it wasn’t for my mum, I wouldn’t be here. I know they have done it to others and I have to live with feeling that I could have stopped it earlier if I had said something.'

Judge Sean Morris, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of the crimes during the sentencing. He remarked, 'You have caused horrendous suffering. I have seen it. I have seen it on the faces of the victims who gave evidence – their body language, their anguish, their tears, their shaking.' The judge also highlighted that both men had been involved in a 'campaign of homosexual paedophilia' spanning many years, with Jagger initiating the abuse and Jennings later joining in.

In their latest sentencing, Jennings received a two-year prison term, while Jagger was sentenced to three years. Both men were also subjected to indefinite sexual harm prevention orders and will be required to register as sex offenders for life. The court made it clear that there would be no further 'cruising around Cleethorpes' inviting boys to join them, effectively ending their ability to reoffend in that manner.

Legal representatives for the defendants provided some mitigation. Katherine Goddard argued that a prison sentence would be particularly difficult for Jagger due to his personal circumstances, while Anil Murray stated that there was no mitigation for Jennings. The court also cleared Jennings of two offences and Jagger of four, including attempted rape, based on directions from the judge. The jury deliberated for nearly nine and a half hours over two days, with most verdicts being unanimous, though some were decided by majority.

Overall, the case underscores the devastating impact of these crimes and the ongoing efforts of the justice system to hold offenders accountable, ensuring that they remain off the streets for a significant period and are subject to lifelong registration requirements.