Shropshire Star

Jailed: Whitchurch man, 45, sexually abused two young girls

A Whitchurch man who sexually abused two girls has been jailed for more than four years.

Published

Paul Balcombe, 45, of Newport Road, was sentenced to four years and four months for a string of sex offences when he appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Balcombe had pleaded guilty to six separate offences, including two of sexually assaulting a girl under 13, when he appeared at a previous hearing.

He also admitted three charges of possessing indecent images of children in category A – the most serious – as well as categories B and C, and one count of possession of an extreme pornographic image.

Sentencing, Judge Peter Barrie told Balcombe that his initial statement to the police, that the victims "did not object" to his actions, entirely missed the point of the offences.

Balcombe was sentenced to four years for each of the sexual assault charges, to run concurrently, and four months for each of the possession charges – to run concurrently to each other but consecutive to the sexual assault sentence.

Judge Barrie told Balcombe he would serve half the sentence before being released on licence. He must notify police of his whereabouts and will also be prevented from working with children in the future.

Balcombe was also made made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.