October 1999
Shop worker jailed for sex attacks on girls
A Worcestershire supermarket worker was jailed for three years yesterday for sex attacks on two young girls.
Paul Rowland (31), of Hightrees Close, Batchley, Redditch, committed some offences in a house and others in a caravan.
He confessed to police he “fancied” one girl and did not see her as a child, Mr Adam Farrer, prosecuting, told Worcester Crown Court.
Rowland admitted four counts of indecent assault and six of indecency with children between 1989 and 1997.
Mr Farrer said the former Tesco nightshift worker was arrested on the day one victim told a teacher about the sex abuse.
He admitted touching, getting the girls to fondle him and even confessed to showing one of them a porn movie
Mr Andrew Lockhart, defending, said he stopped the abuse when he realised he was doing wrong.
His wife was standing by him and he had expressed deep remorse. He had not displayed violence or made threats to the girls, said Mr Lockhart.
Judge Andrew Geddes ordered that Rowland should be registered as a sex offender for life.
He said Rowland had taken advantage of young girls to commit and said the victims’ ages and the time span of the abuse were aggravating features in the case.
