Rotherham Rapist Found Guilty of Grooming and Repeatedly Abusing Schoolgirl
A 63-year-old man has been convicted of sexually abusing a vulnerable schoolgirl two decades ago after a meticulous investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA). Paul Richardson, of Rotherham, was found guilty of five sexual offences, including rape, following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court on 24 July 2024.
Grooming and Exploitation
Richardson targeted the girl when she was just 14, exploiting her chaotic home life to manipulate her into dependency. He gave her love letters, gifts, and alcohol, gradually isolating her emotionally. By the time she was 15, he escalated his abuse, taking her to hotels in South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire under the guise of day trips.
In 2005, Richardson lured the victim to a cinema before taking her to a hotel in Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire. There, he plied her with wine, ignored her protests, and raped her. Over the following months, he raped her three more times—once at a Rotherham hotel and twice at a Nottinghamshire property.
Psychological Control
The court heard how Richardson used psychological coercion to silence his victim. He convinced her that reporting the abuse would leave her completely alone, reinforcing her fear of abandonment. “He made me believe I had no choice,” the victim, now in her 30s, told investigators.
Justice After Two Decades
The case came to light in 2022 when Operation Stovewood—the NCA’s investigation into historic abuse in Rotherham—contacted the victim. She disclosed the abuse and provided a mobile phone Richardson had given her as a child. Officers retrieved incriminating text messages, including explicit sexual content sent by Richardson.
Kath Blain, NCA senior investigator, praised the victim’s bravery: “Richardson’s manipulation was so severe that she believed enduring his abuse was the only way to avoid isolation. Her courage helped secure this conviction.”
A Strong Case for Prosecution
Martin McRobb, a specialist prosecutor for the CPS, highlighted Richardson’s calculated grooming: “He exploited her vulnerability, using force to abuse her. Despite his denials, the evidence—including her testimony and digital proof—was overwhelming.”
Operation Stovewood’s Ongoing Fight for Justice
Richardson is the 47th person convicted under Operation Stovewood, which investigates abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. The NCA urges other victims to come forward, assuring them that justice is possible, no matter how much time has passed.
Richardson has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 21 August 2024.
If you or someone you know has been affected by child sexual abuse, contact the police or a support organization like the NSPCC.
