A WORKINGTON pensioner has been convicted of sexually abusing two teenage boys — and told he will inevitably receive a prison sentence.
A judge has also asked the probation service to prepare a dangerousness assessment in the case of 74-year-old Paul Stuart Adams, a former teacher and pastoral head who also worked in West Cumbria theatres and on a freelance basis for the BBC.
Adams went on trial at Carlisle Crown Court after being prosecuted as part of a lengthy police investigation.
He claimed reports of criminal wrongdoing were “not correct”.
But this afternoon (Thursday) after a trial of almost two weeks, a jury of seven men and five women convicted him, unanimously, of nine offences.
He was found guilty of sexually assaulting and paying for the sexual services of a one boy who was aged 16 and 17 years old at the time and, the court heard, had been paid money to strip naked .
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After a report of court proceedings involving Adams appeared in the News & Star, a second victim disclosed that he had been abused several years before. Adams was convicted of four charges relating to the indecent assault of that boy, who was 15 when the abuse began.
The first victim told how he was “manipulated and groomed” by Adams. The second male told police of the abuse he suffered, recounting how Adams tried to “force himself” on the teen during a car journey.
Adams, bespectacled, bowed his head slightly in the court dock as the jury’s verdicts were returned. He was found not guilty of two charges alleging sexual assault and indecent assault.
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Judge Richard Archer adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report, observing that Adams had been convicted on “compelling” evidence.
He also asked a probation officer for an assessment of the future risk posed by Adams to the public by committing further specified offences.
Addressing the judge, Adams’ barrister, Richard Dawson, said: “Inevitably in the fullness of time he is going to lose his liberty. I wonder if Your Honour will afford him the opportunity (of bail) to put his affairs in order.”
But Judge Archer remanded Adams, of Banklands, Workington, in custody until he is sentenced on August 8. “In reality there can be only one type of sentence,” said Judge Archer. “The only question is how long.”
Adams was also told he must now sign the sex offenders’ register with immediate effect.
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