A paedophile former councillor has been for 18 months after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a child. Paul Ockelton, 60 and of Innsworth, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on Monday, April 14 at a hearing at Crown Court. The former was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.
He had denied a charge of sexually assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, contrary to Section 7 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. In the trial the court heard that Ockelton had sexually assaulted the girl in November 2021 by touching her, and that the intentional touching was sexual. At the time of the offence, he had sat her on his lap and was heard to ask her: "Do you like this?" while carrying out the act.
Later that evening she disclosed that Ockelton had touched her privates. Ockelton denied this and in interview said that he had been tickling her tummy and brushing her hair. However, a jury rejected his defence and found him guilty on March 14 following a four day trial.
The child's mother read a statement to the court in which she said: "I can't even begin to tell you, as a parent and mother, how this felt in that moment to be told this. "I was so proud of [child’s name] for telling the truth and being brave enough to tell me. This is the environment we have always created for her and our children.
"I am saddened that my daughter's wellbeing and confidence has been so badly shattered by his actions. No-one has.
