PAUL RAMSEY FROM COUNDON SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN COVENTRY

In April 2011, Paul Ramsey, a 47-year-old former bus driver from Lavender Close, Coundon, was sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing three young girls over a decade. Coventry Crown Court labeled him a "sexual predator" during the sentencing, citing the extensive nature of his offenses.

One of the victims was only eight years old when Ramsey began abusing her. Initially, Ramsey denied the charges, but on the day of his trial, he changed his plea and admitted to six counts of indecent assault, three counts of indecency with a child, and one count of sexual assault.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Anthony Warner detailed how Ramsey repeatedly abused his first victim over approximately five or six years. He explained that when she was around 11 and another girl, aged about 13, Ramsey often allowed them to become intoxicated. He would then make them kiss and dance with each other before touching them sexually, even filming one of these incidents.

In 2005, Ramsey also assaulted a 15-year-old girl by getting her drunk, then placing her in his bed and subjecting her to sexual assault. Ramsey's offenses only came to light last year. Throughout the sentencing, Ramsey showed little emotion as he received a total sentence of eight years, with the court ruling that he must serve at least three-quarters of his time in custody.

He has been banned for life from working with children and is prohibited from being alone with anyone under 18. Additionally, he is required to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Defense lawyer Peter Cooper stated that Ramsey had no prior convictions, suffered from health issues including a heart attack and stroke, and struggled with a serious alcohol problem that he was beginning to address. Cooper also mentioned that Ramsey had been caring for his elderly mother, who has Parkinson’s Disease.

Judge Recorder Paul Farrer sentenced Ramsey and remarked, "You committed these acts for your own sexual gratification with no regard for the effect upon your victims." The judge referenced a victim impact statement in which one girl described feeling "cheated out of her childhood". The victim’s statement also revealed that she continues to experience flashbacks, nightmares, and has attempted to take her own life on multiple occasions.

Recorder Farrer further noted that the pre-sentence report described Ramsey as posing a "high risk of serious harm," a concern the judge himself shared.