PAUL WATTS SENTENCED TO 23 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEX OFFENCES IN SEDBURY AND WOKINGHAM

In a significant case that has spanned decades, Paul John Watts, a 56-year-old man residing on Buttington Road in Sedbury, Chepstow, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence of 23 years for a series of serious sexual offences committed primarily in the Wokingham area during the 1980s and early 1990s.

Watts’s criminal activities came to light after a detailed investigation that began with his arrest on December 6, 2016. The following year, on December 7, 2017, he was formally charged with multiple counts of sexual misconduct. Despite his initial plea of not guilty, Watts was ultimately convicted following a three-week trial at Reading Crown Court, which concluded on April 15 of this year.

The charges against Watts were extensive and disturbing. They included multiple counts of rape of a woman over the age of 16, several indecent assaults on girls under 16, and the rape of a female under 16. Additionally, he was found guilty of indecent assault on a girl under 14 and gross indecency with a boy under 16. All these offences took place over a span of roughly a decade, with the earliest incidents dating back to the early 1980s and the latest in the early 1990s, all within the Wokingham district.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Watts maintained his innocence, but the jury found him guilty based on the evidence presented. The case was a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact such crimes can have on victims, many of whom had endured years of silence before coming forward.

Detective Sergeant Steve Merrington, of Force CID based at Maidenhead police station, expressed his thoughts on the case, emphasizing the courage of Watts’s victims. He stated, “This result is a testament to the bravery of all of Watts’s victims, who found the strength to come forward after all this time and put their faith in the justice system. Despite a lengthy investigation and court process, the victims never lost their faith in achieving the right results.”

Merrington further highlighted the importance of justice, saying, “These crimes have had a long-lasting effect on all those involved, and I am pleased that the police and the Crown Prosecution Service could work together so effectively to bring Watts to justice. Watts will now serve a very long time in prison to reflect on his actions, and I hope that this sentence brings about some sense of closure for all of his victims.”

In addition to his prison term, Watts has been sentenced to an additional two years on licence. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions aimed at protecting the community from further harm.