On Friday, 16 January 2026, the Offender Database reported that Paul Boulton-Lea, 70, of Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset, was jailed for four years and nine months at Oxford Crown Court. Boulton-Lea was convicted of a series of vile and predatory sexual offences committed against two boys in Kingham, Oxfordshire, during the 1970s.
The investigation by Thames Valley Police began after the victims, who were children at the time of the attacks, bravely came forward decades later. Boulton-Lea callously abused the victims multiple times, exploiting his position of power over the defenceless children. Following a voluntary interview in September 2023, he was charged in December of that year.
Vile Abuse and Jury Verdict
Despite the serious evidence against him, Boulton-Lea put his victims through the trauma of a five-day trial. The jury saw through his dishonest denials and found him guilty of:
- Two counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14.
- One count of gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14.
The court heard that the evil nature of these offences had a lasting impact on the victims. The judge emphasised that the passage of time does not diminish the gravity of such serious and predatory crimes.
Sentence and Registration
For his serious and vile historic crimes, Paul Boulton-Lea was:
- Sentenced to four years and nine months in prison.
- Ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Boulton-Lea is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Dorset Police and Thames Valley Police. His residency in Sherborne, Dorset, and his previous connections to Kingham, Oxfordshire, will be under serious lifelong scrutiny.
Any dishonest attempt to contact his victims or re-engage in predatory behaviour toward children will result in his immediate arrest and return to prison. Thames Valley Police emphasise that they will continue to pursue justice for victims of historic abuse, no matter how long ago the crimes occurred.
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