A Workington pensioner and one-time pillar of the community found guilty of sexually abusing two teenage boys has been jailed for seven years.
Paul Stuart Adams, a 74-year-old former teacher and pastoral head who worked in West Cumbria theatres and on a freelance basis for the BBC, went on trial at Carlisle Crown Court in June.
After a hearing lasting almost two weeks, a jury found him guilty, unanimously, of nine offences.
He was convicted of sexually assaulting and paying for the sexual services of a child — a boy aged 16 and 17 years old at the time. He, jurors heard, had been given whisky, paid money to strip naked, spanked and molested.
After a report of initial court proceedings involving Adams appeared in the press, a second victim disclosed that he had been abused several years earlier. Adams was convicted of four charges relating to the indecent assault of that boy, who was 15 when the abuse began.
The first victim told police how he had been manipulated and groomed by Adams. The second victim also detailed the abuse he suffered, recounting how Adams tried to force himself on the teen during a car journey.
In impact statements, the pair told how Adams’ offending continued to leave its mark on a daily basis.
Of one, prosecutor Rob Wyn Jones said: “He describes a profound effect upon him which he equates to drowning.”
He added: “He describes a feeling of self-hatred, long-lasting shame and ultimately sadness at the way it has affected his life.”
The other victim read his impact statement in court, telling of his heavy alcohol and drug dependence caused by Adams’ conduct, his subsequent improvement but added: “I feel like I had the better years of my childhood taken from me.”
Richard Dawson, defending, said Adams — remanded in custody since his conviction and a man of previous good character — feared the punishment handed down would be tantamount to a life sentence. He continues to deny wrongdoing, the court heard.
Adams, of Banklands, Workington, appeared in court over a video link from prison as he was jailed.
Judge Richard Archer said a common factor across the board had been Adams’ use of alcohol to facilitate his offending. “For over two decades, on and off, you sexually abused young men and boys who had turned to you for support and assistance with their lives,” said Judge Archer.
He concluded on the evidence that Adams had abused a third male and demonstrated inappropriate conduct to a fourth, but limited his sentencing to the two main complainants.
“You were a pillar of the Workington community,” said the judge. “The effect of your offending on your victims has been profound.”
Adams must sign the sex offenders’ register and follow the terms of a strict prevention order, both indefinitely.
