SIMON PAIN FROM BREADSTONE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND LONDON

In a case that has shocked the local community and beyond, Simon Pain, a well-known figure in the equestrian and farming circles of Breadstone, was sentenced to 14 months in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy on two separate occasions. The incidents, which took place in late 2017, have left a lasting impact on the victim and his family, prompting a wave of public concern and condemnation.

According to court proceedings, Pain, aged 47 and a married father, used his position and influence within the local agricultural and equestrian community to manipulate and exploit the young boy. Pain, who owns a livery yard at his farm near Berkeley, had established a relationship with the teenager through their shared interest in horses. The court heard that Pain had become acquainted with the boy when he was 13, after which he began buying him gifts such as clothing, a mobile phone, and riding equipment, raising questions about his motives and the nature of their relationship.

Prosecutor Janine Wood detailed how Pain, during a car journey on November 13 of the previous year, pulled over in a layby and subjected the boy to oral sex, which lasted approximately 25 minutes. The boy, who was open with his mother about his sexuality, confided that he was homosexual at the age of 13. The court was told that Pain had also expressed his own confusion about his sexuality, claiming to believe he was gay and preferring younger individuals.

Just a few days after the initial assault, Pain took the boy to London under the pretext of sightseeing. They checked into the Hyde Park Hilton, where Pain falsely claimed the boy was his son. During their stay, Pain took the boy to various London attractions, including the London Dungeon and the London Eye, and bought him additional clothing. The court revealed that in their hotel room, Pain again assaulted the boy by pinning him down and performing oral sex, this time in the presence of the London sights.

Following their return to Gloucestershire, Pain reportedly told the boy’s mother that he loved her son and even expressed intentions of having a future relationship with him when he turned 16. However, police intervened, and on December 4, Pain denied any sexual activity with the boy. It was only during a subsequent interview in February of this year that he admitted to the offences, claiming that the boy had consented.

The victim, in a heartfelt statement read to the court, described the profound emotional and psychological toll the incidents had taken on him. He spoke of feeling lost, unable to see hope, and suffering from nightmares and depression. The boy expressed fears that Pain might retaliate by harming his horse, and he conveyed feelings of having his life stolen from him by the abuse.

In a separate statement, the boy’s mother expressed her anguish and guilt, stating that her family’s world had been turned upside down. She admitted to having suspicions but lacked proof, and she lamented the changes in her son’s personality, noting that he was no longer the cheerful boy he once was. She expressed relief that Pain had pleaded guilty, acknowledging the devastation caused.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Jamie Tabor QC acknowledged Pain’s awareness of the wrongfulness of his actions, despite his claims of being in a 'loveless marriage' at the time. The judge emphasized that it was entirely wrong to engage in a sexual relationship with an underage boy and sentenced Pain to 14 months in prison. Additionally, Pain was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and to pay costs amounting to £500.

Pain’s involvement in the local community extended beyond his personal life, as he was known for running a successful equestrian business that included indoor arenas, a cross-country course, and other facilities. His conviction has sent shockwaves through the community of Breadstone and the wider Gloucestershire area, raising ongoing concerns about safeguarding and the protection of vulnerable young people.