PAUL OCKELTON FROM INNSWORTH FOUND GUILTY OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING YOUNG GIRL IN GLOUCESTER

A man from Innsworth has been convicted of sexually assaulting a very young girl in a case that drew significant attention at Gloucester Crown Court last week. The defendant, Paul Ockelton, aged 60, faced charges related to inappropriate and unlawful touching of a girl under the age of 13. Ockelton had initially denied the allegations, which alleged that he engaged in sexual assault by touching the girl in a manner that was clearly sexual in nature.

The court proceedings revealed that the incident occurred in November 2021. It was established that Ockelton had sat the young girl on his lap during the encounter. During this time, he was heard to ask her, “Do you like this?” while engaging in the act, which was deemed to be a deliberate and sexual form of contact. The young girl later confided in someone that Ockelton had touched her private parts, an accusation that he vehemently denied.

In his interview with authorities, Ockelton claimed that his actions were innocent, asserting that he was merely tickling her tummy and brushing her hair. Despite his explanations, the jury was not convinced by his defense. After a four-day trial, the jury returned a guilty verdict on Friday, 14 March. Ockelton has been released on bail pending sentencing, which is scheduled to take place at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday, 14 April. The case has left the community in Innsworth and the wider Gloucester area deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of children in the region.