Nottinghamshire paedophile Paul Lee jailed for historic abuse of young girl

A Nottinghamshire paedophile who repeatedly abused a young girl has been jailed.

Paul Lee, now aged 80, made the girl post for photographers and forced her to engage in sexual activity when he targeted her on multiple occasions around a decade ago.

His crimes were exposed years later when the girl revealed what had happened to a member of staff at her school. Lee was arrested two days later and Nottinghamshire Police searched his home near Newark.

Officers found explicit paintings depicting abuse of the girl as well as several adult and child-sized shop mannequins dressed in sexualised underwear in an outbuilding.

Extreme pornographic material was also found on electronic devices seized at the scene.

Lee, formerly of Moor Lane, South Clifton, declined to comment in three separate police interviews but later pleaded guilty to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, making indecent photographs of a child, and possessing a prohibited image of a child.

He also admitted to possessing extreme pornography and to possessing a shotgun without a certificate after the weapon was found during the search of his home.

The 80-year-old was jailed for seven years and 10 months when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, July 3. He will also serve an extended four-year license period when released.

Det Con Laura Manley, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Lee is a predatory sex offender who committed some truly appalling offences against a primary school-age child.

“As she grew older, the victim in this case realised what had happened to her was wrong and eventually found the strength to tell others.

“I know this has been a very difficult and upsetting process for her and her family, so I really am full of admiration for the determination and dignity she has shown throughout the legal process.

“But for her bravery in coming forward, this man would have remained at large and other children could have been put at risk as a result.

“The evidence she gave was extremely detailed and utterly damming for Lee, who really had no choice but to admit to what he had done.

“I am pleased he has now been handed a very significant prison sentence and hope this case serves as a warning to others about the consequences of abusing children in this way.”