In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Paul Curnow, 47, was jailed for five years for the sexual molestation of an eight-year-old girl. On appearing at Truro Crown Court on 31 July 2019, the defendant, of Penzance, Cornwall, was found guilty of sexual activity with a child under 13 and sexual touching. It was reported that the jury took just 37 minutes to deliver a unanimous guilty verdict following a trial where Curnow had denied all allegations.
The investigation established the predatory nature of the attack, which occurred on a single night in September 2018 in the Penzance area. Devon and Cornwall Police reported that Curnow targeted the victim while her younger brother lay asleep next to them. The prosecution reported that Curnow hugged and kissed the girl before removing her clothing and his own. The investigation revealed that he forced the child to touch him and subjected her to further assaults, later telling her not to do it again in a move the victim found confusing as she had instigated nothing.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that the victim began disclosing the events in November 2018 after the trauma stayed with her. Truro Crown Court heard how she eventually told a trusted individual, leading to her mother being informed and a police interview in December 2018. The investigation established that despite Curnow’s denials during his interview two weeks later, the evidence provided by the young survivor was deemed entirely credible by the jury.
Judge Simon Carr noted the gravity of the breach of trust and the impact on the young girl. For his actions in Penzance, Curnow was handed a five-year custodial sentence. The judge noted that the swiftness of the jury’s verdict reflected the strength of the case against him. Curnow was also made subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to restrict his future contact with children.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Paul Curnow is as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: Five years in prison (2019).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life.
- SHPO Status: Active for 10 years (Prohibiting unsupervised contact with minors).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Truro Crown Court following a Devon and Cornwall Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Sexual activity with a child under 13; Sexual touching.
- Origin: Penzance, Cornwall.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Curnow is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by the police and the National Probation Service in Cornwall. Due to the nature of his conduct in Penzance, which involved the opportunistic molestation of a child in a domestic setting, his management is subject to high-level scrutiny. Authorities state that his life-long inclusion on the Sex Offenders Register and his ten-year SHPO are vital tools to ensure he is subject to unannounced residency checks and strict monitoring upon any release from custody.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register for life, Curnow must comply with all notification requirements regarding his identity and residence. Authorities state that his history of targeting a vulnerable girl in Cornwall necessitates permanent vigilance. Any future attempt to approach children, contact the victim, or engage in inappropriate behaviour 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.