PAUL MONTY SHOCKS STOCKTON AND ELTON WITH CHILD SEX ABUSE CONVICTION AND SENTENCE INCREASE

In a significant legal development, Paul Monty, a 54-year-old martial arts instructor and former doorman from Elton, near Stockton, has seen his initial sentence for a series of heinous child sexual offenses more than doubled following an appeal by the Court of Appeal. Originally sentenced to four and a half years at Teesside Crown Court in December 2013, the sentence was deemed 'unduly lenient' by top judges, prompting the Solicitor General Oliver Heald QC to intervene and request a review of the case.

Monty was convicted of 13 serious charges related to the sexual abuse of two underage girls during the 1980s, when he was in his twenties. The offences included eight counts of indecency with a child, four counts of buggery, and one count of attempted buggery. The abuse took place in his home and at his family’s furniture shop located in Stockton, where he exploited his position of trust as their martial arts instructor.

Following the conviction, the Court of Appeal judges, on Tuesday, March 11, agreed with the Solicitor General’s assessment that the original sentence was too lenient given the gravity of the crimes. Consequently, they increased Monty’s prison term to ten years, sending a clear message that such violations of trust and sexual misconduct against minors will be met with appropriate punishment.

Oliver Heald QC explained to The Northern Echo that the justice system must respond firmly to cases involving child sexual abuse, especially when the offender is someone in a position of authority. He emphasized that the public’s concern over such crimes is justified and that the courts must uphold the severity of the law. He added that out of approximately 400 cases each year that are flagged as potentially too lenient, between 70 and 100 are escalated to the Court of Appeal for harsher sentencing.

Monty, who is now a father of four, engaged in a sexual relationship with both girls simultaneously, without their knowledge of each other. The abuse involved tying them up and having sex with them at his residence and his family’s shop in Stockton. During the trial, Monty denied eight counts of indecency with a child, four charges of buggery, and one of attempted buggery, but the jury found him guilty on all counts after deliberating for nearly six and a half hours.

Judge Peter Bowers, presiding over the case, remarked that Monty’s victims were “flattered by the attention he gave them,” and highlighted the lasting impact of the abuse. He stated, “You abused those two young girls in their teenage years. It is clear that the abuse had an effect on their adult lives and it is clear they both continue to suffer the impact of what happened when they were teenagers, even though it is 25 years ago.”

During the trial, the court heard that both victims harbored crushes on Monty, who would give them sweets, kiss them in his car, and shower them with gifts. One victim described her feelings as idolization, believing Monty was her boyfriend and that she was destined to marry him. She recounted how Monty would pick her up from school, buy her dinner, and set up a bed with dust sheets in a small back room at his shop, where he engaged in sexual acts with her. She admitted to feeling “wined and dined” when he took her to a hotel.

The second victim also expressed her deep affection for Monty, believing she was his girlfriend and that he loved her. She detailed how he secretly took her into his house, played her an X-rated film, sent her a Valentine’s card, bought her a dress and perfume, and engaged in sexual activity with her while driving. Both women later wrote victim impact statements, expressing feelings of shame and embarrassment about their experiences, though they also noted contrasting reactions to the court proceedings—one found strength in speaking out, while the other found it traumatic.

Monty’s defense team maintained that he denied the allegations, claiming he only had sexual relations with each girl when they turned 18, asserting that the sexual encounters did not occur when they were underage. Despite his denial, the jury convicted him on all counts. The judge decided against imposing a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, citing insufficient evidence that Monty would commit similar offenses in the future.

Following the verdict, Monty showed little reaction, merely shaking his head as he looked toward the public gallery. He remains in custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for December 16. Judge Bowers expressed his appreciation for the jurors’ careful consideration of a case he described as difficult, trying, and emotionally charged, and ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared before final sentencing.