10 years jail for child sex abuser (From Daily Echo)

Sex offender Paul Shephard jailed for 10 years

12:50pm Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Southampton

A HOUSING support worker has been jailed for ten years for the prolonged sexual abuse of a girl.

Paul Shephard’s offending came to light after the teenager revealed to her mother what he had done, although he had asked her not to.

Shephard, 44, of Swanage Close, Southampton, admitted 12 charges of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child and gross indecency.

Southampton Crown Court heard the abuse made her shy, withdrawn, isolated and unable to turn to anyone for advice.

Charles Gabb, defending, said his only mitigation was his guilty plea, which had spared her from the ordeal of having to come to court.

Judge Gary Burrell QC told Shephard: “What you did was for your sexual gratification and must have been horrendous for her.”

Shephard was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and under the terms of a sexual offences prevention order was banned from coming into contact with any girl under 16.