PAUL LYTOLLIS SHOCKS BLACKWELL AND CARLISLE WITH CHILD SEX ABUSE SCANDAL

In a harrowing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Blackwell and Carlisle, a man named Paul Lytollis, aged 56, was sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of a prolonged and disturbing campaign of sexual abuse spanning over 15 years. The abuse was inflicted upon six children—five boys and one girl—between the years 1965 and 1980, leaving each of them with deep emotional scars that would affect their lives well into adulthood.

During the proceedings at Carlisle Crown Court, detailed accounts emerged revealing the extent of Lytollis’s predatory behavior. The court heard from four of the victims, all now adults, who bravely shared their experiences and the profound impact the abuse had on their mental and emotional well-being. The female victim described feeling tainted and worthless, expressing relief that Lytollis, who resides on Rye Close in Blackwell near Carlisle Racecourse, had pleaded guilty. She explained that this acknowledgment had lifted a significant burden from her life.

One of the male victims recounted how the abuse had taken over his entire existence, leaving him feeling shattered, dirty, used, and empty. He also revealed that the trauma was so severe that at times, he contemplated ending his own life. The prosecutor, Hilary Manley, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The defendant took away his innocence.”

Further details of the case disclosed that the abuse began when one of the victims was only six years old. The court heard that Lytollis would resort to violence if the child attempted to resist, often beating him up. The female victim was subjected to threats of murder if she dared to report the abuse, illustrating the level of intimidation and control Lytollis exerted over his victims. The defendant admitted to committing 19 counts of indecent assault and two counts of indecency with a child.

Representing Lytollis, William Waldron, explained that his client’s own history of childhood abuse was a contributing factor to his offending. Waldron described Lytollis as a man who had struggled with alcohol addiction for decades, describing him as “a hopeless alcoholic” who was both damaged and damaging. The defense acknowledged that the last known offense occurred 27 years ago and conveyed Lytollis’s desire to publicly apologize to his victims.

As part of his sentence, Lytollis was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and was indefinitely banned from working with children, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the community’s need for protection. The case has left a lasting impact on the victims and has brought to light the dark history of abuse that occurred within the communities of Blackwell and Carlisle.