October 2021

‘In denial’ paedophile looks shocked as judge jails him for 21 years

A paedophile who refused to admit to his crimes, and therefore put his victims through a trial, was shocked when a judge told him he was sentenced to a total of 21 years 

Paul Shields, 45, of Beechwood Drive, Formby was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court of 22 sexual offences involving two female victims.

The offences took place between 2006 and 2011.

Twenty of the offences which included attempted rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault and causing a child to engage in sexual activity involved one of the girls and spanned several years.

The other two offences of sexual assault and causing a child to engage in sexual activity involved the second child.

He had threatened them not to tell anyone but eventually in 2018 they disclosed details of their ordeal and the police were eventually informed.

Shields was jailed for 21 years and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

A judge described Shields as “a danger to children as far as serious sexual harm is concerned”.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones told him: “You still maintain your innocence still. You completely refuse to admit what you have done.”

He pointed out that his denials meant his victims were forced to go through the ordeal of giving evidence before a jury at Liverpool Crown Court.

He added: “Both victims refer to the devastating impact on their lives…they talk of the daily impact on them and the affect on their mental health. They have difficulty in trusting people and forming relationships.

“Quite clearly it amounts to severe psychological harm. Their feeling is you have destroyed their lives and suffer enduring trauma.”

The judge ordered Shields, who looked shocked at the length of sentence, to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.