PAUL WEAVERS FROM IPSWICH, SUTTON, AND WOODBRIDGE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In a serious case that has shocked the local communities of Ipswich, Sutton, and Woodbridge, a man named Paul Weavers has been handed a six-year prison sentence after admitting to a series of disturbing child sex offences. The court proceedings revealed chilling details about Weavers' conduct, which involved multiple counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, as well as incitement and assault charges.

According to court records, Weavers, aged 45, formerly residing in Sutton near Woodbridge but currently living in Ipswich, pleaded guilty to ten counts of sexual activity with a child. These included acts of sexual touching, as well as two charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Additionally, he admitted to two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one charge of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. The court was informed that Weavers had no prior convictions, which may have influenced the sentencing decision.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge David Goodin emphasized the gravity of Weavers' actions, describing the catalogue of offences as 'shocking.' Despite the severity, the judge acknowledged that Weavers appeared to show genuine remorse for his conduct. The court heard that Weavers had engaged in a disturbing pattern of behavior involving a young girl, whom he had indecently touched and coerced into touching him. In a particularly unsettling detail, the court was told that Weavers would rate the victim on a scale of ten during the assaults, awarding her points and giving her £1 for each point she received. This disturbing act was part of the evidence presented during the trial.

Prosecutor Matthew Gowen detailed the nature of the abuse, stating that Weavers had indecently touched the girl and had manipulated her into doing the same to him. The court was also informed that Weavers had no previous criminal record, which was noted during the sentencing process. Defense lawyer Roger Thomson argued that Weavers had only spent 19 days in custody and that no force had been used on the victim. He also emphasized that Weavers accepted responsibility for his actions.

In a separate but related hearing in February 2011, Weavers appeared at Ipswich Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing concerning 18 allegations of sexual offences. He pleaded guilty to 15 of these charges, which included sexual touching of a child, incitement, sexual assault by penetration, and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. However, he maintained his innocence on three counts, denying two charges of sexual activity with a child and one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. The prosecution indicated that these not guilty pleas might not proceed to trial, as convictions on those charges were unlikely to influence the overall sentence.

Before sentencing, a report from the probation service was ordered to assess Weavers' suitability for rehabilitation and to inform the court's decision. Judge John Devaux, presiding over the case, renewed Weavers' conditional bail and emphasized that all sentencing options remained open. He instructed Weavers to fully cooperate with the pre-sentence report and warned that the final sentence would be determined in the upcoming fortnight, beginning March 28. The judge reiterated that the court retained the authority to impose any form of punishment deemed appropriate, reflecting the seriousness of the offences committed in Ipswich, Sutton, and Woodbridge.