In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Paul John Watts, 56, of Buttington Road, Sedbury, Chepstow, was jailed for 23 years for a series of historic sexual offences. On appearing at Reading Crown Court in July 2019, the defendant was sentenced following a three-week trial. It was reported that the offences, which occurred between the early 1980s and early 1990s in Wokingham, Berkshire, included multiple rapes and indecent assaults against both women and children.
The investigation established the predatory and diverse nature of Watts’ behaviour over a decade. Thames Valley Police reported that the offences included multiple rapes of a woman over 16, several indecent assaults on girls under 16, the rape of a girl under 16, and gross indecency with a boy under 16. The prosecution reported that Watts was initially arrested in December 2016, leading to a complex investigation into his actions in Wokingham that had remained hidden for decades.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Watts forced his victims to endure the ordeal of a three-week trial by pleading not guilty to all charges. Reading Crown Court heard how the defendant’s campaign of abuse spanned multiple victims of different ages and genders. The investigation established that despite Watts’ denials, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on every count, reflecting the gravity of the harm he inflicted throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
The Sentencing Judge noted the long-term psychological impact of the offences on the survivors, who had to wait nearly 30 years for justice. For his actions in Wokingham, Watts was handed a significant custodial sentence of 23 years. The judge noted that his risk to the public necessitated an extended licence period of two years upon his eventual release, ensuring he remains under strict supervision well into his senior years.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Paul John Watts is as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 23 years in prison (2019).
- Extended Licence: Two years of supervision upon release.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated for life.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Reading Crown Court following a Thames Valley Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Multiple rapes (over and under 16); Multiple indecent assaults; Gross indecency with a boy under 16.
- Origin: Buttington Road, Sedbury, Chepstow, Monmouthshire (formerly Wokingham, Berkshire).
Monitoring and Public Protection
Watts is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by the police and the National Probation Service in Monmouthshire and Berkshire. Due to the nature of his conduct in Wokingham, which involved the rape and assault of multiple children and a woman, his management is subject to the highest level of scrutiny. Authorities state that his life-long inclusion on the Sex Offenders Register and his 25-year total term are critical tools to ensure he is subject to permanent residency checks and is prevented from approaching survivors or other vulnerable people upon his eventual release.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register for life, Watts must comply with all notification requirements regarding his identity and residence. Authorities state that his history of serial sexual violence in Wokingham necessitates permanent vigilance. Any future attempt to approach survivors or engage in inappropriate behaviour in Chepstow, Wokingham, or elsewhere will result in immediate arrest and a return to the court system for further incarceration.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.