"We're finally safe," survivor says as predatory paedophile who abused girls over 30-year period is jailed
“I’m proud I’ve had the strength and courage to look my abuser in the eye”
“We are all finally safe,” a courageous abuse survivor said as a “manipulative” and predatory paedophile who terrorised young girls over a 30-year period was finally locked up.
“Remorseless” Paul Mundy was told to remain quiet as Judge Peter Hampton sentenced him for 24 sex offences including rape committed against four young girls. He said Mundy had failed to show a “scrap of remorse” for his crimes.
Sighs of relief rang out as Judge Hampton jailed Mundy for 29 years, with a two-year extended licence.
At the age of 71, the length of sentence passed down means Mundy may now die behind bars.
Silenced for years, Girl A courageously faced Mundy in court to read her impact statement as he was forced to listen to every word she had to say.
She was aged just seven-years-old when she was first abused by Mundy, formerly of Market Place, Bawtry, Doncaster.
In one incident, Mundy raped Girl A after isolating her from her family.
Judge Peter Hampton told Mundy: “You took her away from her family…you raped her there.”
“She was left feeling powerless by what you did.”
Detailing the “40 years of hurt” and suffering she has endured as a result of Mundy’s sickening crimes, Girl A told Doncaster Crown Court: “I’m proud I’ve had the strength and courage to look my abuser in the eye during this court process and tell my truth in court.”
“I’ve lived most of my life thinking people believed I was a liar, which I was not.
“Hearing the other women’s statements during this court process, and fully understanding the full extent of his abuse, and repeated patterns, has been heartbreaking.”
She added: “We are all finally safe.”
The hearing heard how Girl A went to police in 1993 as a young adult, but the investigation was closed with no further action to be taken.
Judge Hampton said it was “clear” from the evidence he had seen that the detective constable in charge of the investigation failed to look into things “properly,” instead relying on “gut instinct.”
He described the investigation carried out as being “riddled with an inaccurate set of tropes, myths and assumptions."
Judge Hampton expressed concern that the detective constable in charge of the investigation had branded Girl A as "promiscuous and worldly.”
He also suggested that had the detective in the case attempted to speak to other girls Mundy had contact with, they may have uncovered the abuse of Girl B and Girl C, which had started by the time Girl A first went to the police.
Mundy was also convicted of the indecent assault of a 14-year-old girl in 2001, for which he received a community order.
Following that conviction, he went on to sexually abuse Girl D in the 2000s.
Statements from Girls B, C and D were read to the court, during Friday afternoon’s emotionally-charged hearing.
Girl B revealed that Mundy’s abuse has shaped her romantic relationships in the decades that have followed, resulting in her being targeted by males who can sense “broken and submissive females.”
She revealed she had wanted to remain anonymous, even to her loved ones, but the court proceedings have meant that she has had to tell her mother about what Mundy subjected her to.
Describing the impact on her, Girl C said: “I tried to hide it for years.”
She described constantly feeling as though she can never escape “having to be aware” of dangerous situations which could arise.
Girl D told Mundy: “You made me feel weak and small, like my voice did not matter.”
She said she had “spent years trying to understand what happened” and attempting to recover, whilst living with the trauma caused by Mundy’s abuse.
Judge Hampton praised the four complainants, telling them the “court pays tribute to their bravery in speaking out.”
“It’s an incredible feat of endurance that all of them have built families, businesses and personal relationships.”
He continued: “Whilst I recognise no sentence can truly reflect the harm and suffering, I hope this trial has shown that you have been heard.
“The jury’s verdict has not only shown that you have been heard, that you have been believed.”
Cowardly Mundy sought to deny his crimes, but a Sheffield Crown Court jury rejected his account to find him guilty of the catalogue of offences which include multiple counts of rape of a child under 13, indecent assault and causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
Defending, Amy Earnshaw told the court that Mundy had been part of the army, serving in territories including Cyprus, Germany and Ireland.
Ms Earnshaw said he also went on to serve in the Territorial Army, suggesting it was a positive aspect of his mitigation.
Judge Hampton noted, however, that Mundy’s abuse of Girl A had already began by the time he started his service with the TA.
Ms Earnshaw continued by detailing Mundy’s numerous health complaints, both past and present, which include strokes and cancer, with ongoing side effects from the latter condition such as incontinence and issues with swallowing and eating likely to make his time in custody more difficult.
Sending Mundy to begin his lengthy prison sentence, Judge Hampton described him as a “determined paedophile.”
He continued: “While you’ve gone unpunished for many years, your victims have had to endure suffering from the harm done for the same long period.”
“Due to their bravery in speaking out, you’ve been unmasked as a manipulative and remorseless paedophile.”
“It’s clear from the totality of your offending that you are a determined paedophile.”
“You are a deceitful and manipulative man with a talent for controlling the narrative, which you sought to do during the trial.”
“You were a mature, worldly man, who knew exactly what you were doing.”
*South Yorkshire Police has been approached for comment concerning their handling of the 1993 investigation into Mundy’s offending against Girl A.
Support services
Help is available for anyone who has been subjected to sexual offending.
- Sheffield Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (SRASAC) provide specialist counselling to victim/survivors of sexual violence. This is available via self-referral only. If you want to discuss your options you can call the Information and Support Line on 07517 100 757, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
- DRASACS is an independent charity that has been helping victims of sexual violence since 1987. Call them on 01302 360421. Visit the DRASACS website: DRASACS
- The National Rape and Sexual Assault Support Line. It is available 24/7 on 0808 500 2222