Man jailed for 20+ years for sexually abusing three pre-teen girls

A man has been jailed for more than two decades after sexually abusing three pre-teen girls.

The abuse, which started as far back as the late 1990s, was reported to police in 2023 and Paul Wood was arrested.

The 60-year-old was subsequently charged and remanded.

He denied committing 17 sexual offences against three victims and the case was sent to trial.

On 10 March, he was found guilty of all charges by a jury:

x5 counts of rape of a girl under 13
x10 counts of assault by touching a girl under 13
x1 count of sexual assault
x1 count of attempt rape of girl under 13

Wood, of Wendover Rise, Cleethorpes, Lincs. was sentenced that same day.

A judge ordered him to serve a 21-year prison term and handed Wood an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Natalie Jones, officer in the case, said:

“The victims in the case have shown great courage from the outset of this investigation, and I’d like to thank them for coming forward and reporting Wood’s abuse.

“Disclosing abuse is never easy and we know that many people keep it a secret for a long time before feeling able to talk about it or report it.

“This case is testament to the fact that no matter when sexual abuse happened, we will investigate it and seek justice.

“Wood is a dangerous paedophile who belongs behind bars.

“I hope that the three young women in this case can now seek to move forward with their lives, knowing that Wood has been held publicly accountable for what he did to them.”