Leeds pensioner, 74, who sexually abused young girl is jailed

Paul Stockwell, 74, of Beeston, denied two charges of sexual activity with a girl under 16, Leeds Crown Court heard.

A jury convicted him of both offences after a trial last month.

The jury was told that Stockwell committed the offences at an address in Leeds in early 2019.

The court heard Stockwell, who has no previous convictions, suffers from health problems, has made an attempt to take his own life.

Soheil Khan, prosecuting, said the girl had suffered psychologically following the offences.

Robin Frieze, mitigating, said Stockwell, who uses a wheelchair, is in poor health, adding: "Custody, for him, will be a much more difficult and unpleasant experience than for most people."

At today's (May 24) sentencing hearing, Judge Simon Phillips QC said Stockwell, of Ring Road, Beeston, had "begged" the girl not to report him to police.

Judge Phillips said the girl's mother and other witnesses had referred to her as being "crushed" and "devastated" following the offences.

Judge Phillps added: "It has affected her sleep pattern. She has suffered nightmares. She has needed counselling."

Jailing Stockwell for four years, Judge Phillips told him: "I take into account your health issues and level of frailty.

"I note that some of those health issues have been brought about by your own actions."

Stockwell's name will be on the sex offender register for life.

And he was made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Stockwell was in court to hear the evidence against him, but towards the end of the trial he suffered a fall overnight and was treated in hospital.

He was convicted of the charges in his absence.