A 63-Year-Old Man Has Been Convicted of Raping a Rotherham Schoolgirl

On July 24, 2017, a Sheffield Crown Court jury convicted Paul Richardson, a 63-year-old Rotherham man, of five sexual offences for grooming and raping a 15-year-old schoolgirl 20 years ago

Between 2005 and 2006, Richardson sexually abused the girl in hotels in South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire and at a Nottinghamshire residence.

When the girl was 14, Richardson targeted her, exploiting her chaotic family life by sending love letters, gifts, and alcohol and taking her on day trips to gain her trust. At 15, he gave her liquor in a Bassetlaw hotel room and raped her despite her protests. He raped her three more times: once in a Rotherham hotel and twice at a Nottinghamshire residence.

He used manipulation and violence to get her to do what he wanted. To get her to shut up, he threatened to leave her.

The victim, who is now in her 30s, told the National Crime Agency (NCA) about the assault in 2022 as part of Operation Stovewood, which is the UK’s biggest investigation into historic child sexual abuse in Rotherham (1997–2013). She gave Richardson a phone that he used to send sexual texts. This, together with her testimony and other evidence, led to his conviction in the matter.

NCA officer Kath Blain praised the victim’s courage, noting Richardson’s calculated manipulation. CPS prosecutor Martin McRobb emphasised the case’s strength, built on the victim’s evidence, and reaffirmed their commitment to justice.

Richardson, arrested in 2024, awaits sentencing on 21 August. Operation Stovewood has convicted 47 perpetrators to date.

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