An ex-teacher jailed in 2022 for molesting two boys has been given another prison sentence for committing sex crimes against four other teenagers.
In addition to being employed in West Cumbria schools, Paul Stuart Adams had also previously been involved with the Theatre Royal, worked on a freelance basis for the BBC and ran his own music recording business.
Almost four years ago, drama specialist Adams was handed a seven-year custodial sentence for historical offences by a judge who noted the defendant had once been a pillar of his Cumbrian community.
Adams was trusted to look after and educate youngsters.
But Carlisle Crown Court heard Adams, now 78, sexually abused one teenager, plying him with whisky and paying the boy to strip for him.
Adams also forced himself on to a second teenage boy. The latter came forward after media reports appeared about court proceedings involving the first boy.
It was the press reporting of the 2022 criminal case which prompted four more people — all now adults — to come forward.
They disclosed they had also been abused by Adams in separate single incidents during a period spanning many decades.
Adams, released from prison on licence late last year, denied any further wrongdoing.
But after a fresh trial in January, he was unanimously convicted of historical crimes against these four.
He was found guilty of five offences — three indecent assaults, a sexual assault and paying a child for sexual services.
Carlisle Crown Court heard during Adams’ sentencing hearing today how he had manufactured situations to give him private and close contact with the boys.
Three incidents occurred in a school setting and one linked to an interest in music.
Impact statements from each of the victims — all now adults — were read to a judge.
“I have had lasting emotional and physical hurt for years as a result of what the defendant did,” said one, who spoke of bottling up Adams’ abuse for decades.
Another said: “The emotional toll that this process has wrought on me has been nothing short of horrendous.”
In statements, all four men outlined the trauma caused, the betrayal they felt and immense distress caused to their respective family members.
Parents outlined their guilt at trusting Adams — a man they described as a monster.
A defence barrister, representing Adams, of Banklands, Workington, conceded it was “simply a question of how long” the new prison sentence would be.
Judge Michael Fanning told Adams he was guilty of betraying trust over five decades.
“People have to trust teachers, have to trust that they won’t abuse pupils in their care. That’s why your offending against school pupils in your care is so grotesque,” said the judge. “You used this aura of respectability in your position of authority to abuse boys.
“You are now notorious. No one would ever entrust a child in your care.”
After Adams had left the hearing, the judge told two of the victims who were present in court: “You are not responsible for what the monster did.”
Adams was given a total prison sentence of seven years for the five new offences which starts today.
He has previously been ordered to sign the sex offender register for an indefinite period.
After sentencing, Detective Inspector Calvin Greaves, Cumberland CID, said: “I would like to thank the victims for their bravery in coming forward and I hope today’s sentencing can bring some form of closure after all these years.
“Adams abused his position and should have been someone his victims were able to trust.
“I hope that this case shows that it is never too late to report sexual abuse – no matter how long ago it was, we will listen to you.
“Cumbria police will do everything we can to investigate reports, support victims and bring perpetrators to justice.”
