PAUL VINE OF SALTASH SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS FOR MULTIPLE SEX OFFENCES

In May 2014, Paul Vine, a 60-year-old resident of Saltash and father of 11 children, was sentenced to 18 years in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting three women over a span of 16 years. The court heard that Vine engaged in manipulative behaviors to commit his offences, which included rape and indecent assault.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was one of three women whom Vine assaulted. During his trial at Truro Crown Court last week, it was revealed that Vine used deceitful tactics to lure his victims to his home, including asking for their help. The court was told that one young woman was persuaded to come to his house under the pretense of assistance and was subsequently raped by him. She also disclosed that Vine had raped her previously during her teenage years.

Police investigations uncovered the other two victims: one woman who was raped by Vine in 1996 and another who had been indecently assaulted when she was a teenager in 2001. Jason Beal, representing the prosecution, stated, "What is a common theme throughout the offending of the defendant is that he manipulated situations… to commit offences against vulnerable females."

Vine was arrested at his home in Gunnislake on January 10. During police interviews, he denied the allegations, claiming that any sexual activity with one victim had been consensual and took place at his home. He also denied sexually assaulting the teenage girl or raping the adult woman in 1996.

Vine has a large family, with 11 children by four different women, and reportedly had numerous affairs, a detail highlighted by the prosecution.

Joanna Martin, defending Vine, asked the jury to set aside any negative feelings towards him, stating, "He is not monogamous and faithful... what we heard throughout this case was a backdrop of affairs that he had. This case is not about his affairs; it is not about how you judge his morals."

Ultimately, Vine was convicted of four counts: two counts of rape of different women, one count of rape in 2013, and one count of indecent assault on a third woman when she was a teenager, for offences spanning from May 1996 to January 2013.

During sentencing, Judge John Neligan remarked, "It became clear to me during the trial that over the years you treated women with little or no respect, more as possessions for your sexual gratification without regard to their feelings."

He continued, emphasizing the manipulation involved in the 2013 rape, stating, "I take the view that you lured [the victim] to your home for the purposes of taking advantage of her sexually."

The judge also highlighted the aggravating factor of Vine's attempt to discredit his victims, saying, "In the conduct of your case you have accused these three ladies of having lied about you, and all along it was you who was lying."

Vine was sentenced to an indefinite sexual offenses prevention order and ordered to remain on the sex offenders register for life.