In 2020, the Offender Database reported that Paul Saunders, then 57, formerly of Blackbird Leys, Oxford, was re-arrested for breaching the terms of his release. Saunders, a former bouncer and handyman, gained further notoriety in early 2020 when photographs emerged showing him engaged to Karen Matthews, the woman convicted in the 2008 kidnapping of her own daughter.
The investigation into Saunders’ history established that he carried out a three-year campaign of sexual abuse against his teenage stepdaughter, Kathleen Jobb, between 2006 and 2009. The prosecution reported that Saunders exploited his role as a protector, sneaking into the bedroom the victim shared with her younger sister to commit “vile” acts of sexual assault. The abuse was only discovered after Saunders was jailed for eight weeks for benefit fraud in 2009, leading his then-wife to search his mobile phone and find indecent images he had covertly taken of her daughter.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
At Oxford Crown Court in January 2010, Saunders admitted to four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, making indecent images of a child, and two counts of sexual assault. The court reported that Saunders used manipulation and threats to keep his victim silent, telling her “bad things would happen” if she disclosed the abuse. Kathleen Jobb, who bravely waived her right to anonymity in 2020, described him as a “vile monster” and a “sick animal” who targeted her while she was a vulnerable teenager.
Thames Valley Police reported that Saunders had been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life following his 2010 conviction. The judge emphasised that his actions were a gross betrayal of the parental trust placed in him. In 2020, following public outcry over his relationship with Karen Matthews, Saunders was reportedly arrested for breaching his licence conditions, specifically regarding the proximity of his residence to a school. For his historical crimes in Oxfordshire, the court determined that he remained a significant risk to the public.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in Oxfordshire, Paul Saunders was subject to:
- Custodial Sentence: Five years in immediate custody (sentenced in 2010).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- Convictions: Four counts of sexual activity with a child, making indecent images, and two counts of sexual assault.
- Licence Conditions: Subject to strict post-release monitoring by the National Probation Service.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Saunders is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Thames Valley Police. His status as a registered sex offender means his movements, residence, and relationships are subject to constant scrutiny by the Public Protection Unit.
Authorities in Oxford state that the safety of the community remains the paramount concern in managing high-profile offenders like Saunders. As a lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, any failure to report a change in circumstances or a breach of his specific licence conditions results in immediate recall to prison. The National Probation Service emphasised that the management of such individuals is designed to prevent further victims and ensure that any renewed risk is identified and mitigated immediately.
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