UK psychiatric nurse Paul Isaac jailed 11 years for rape and sexual assault of 14-year-girl

A church-going psychiatric nurse has been jailed for 11 years after being convicted of twice raping and sexually assaulting a girl.

Paul Isaac had been regarded as a "good bloke" by those who knew him, Bristol Crown Court heard.

But a jury was told that, despite being warned about inappropriate behaviour, he forced himself on the youngster on several occasions from when she was aged 14.

As Isaac was led to the cells yesterday, his victim's mother, who was reduced to tears as the offences he had been convicted of were described by the judge, shouted and stuck two fingers up at him.

The court was told the abuse contributed to a catalogue of problems for the victim including self-harming, dropping out of school, struggling with personal relationships and suicidal thoughts.

Isaac, 42, of Deering Close, Lawrence Weston, denied five charges of raping the youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He also denied indecently assaulting her, but pleaded guilty to a charge of indecency with a child.

After a week-long trial, a jury unanimously convicted him of two rapes and an indecent assault, and found him not guilty of the remaining charges.

Imposing sentence, the Recorder of Bristol, Judge Neil Ford QC, told Isaac: "The effect of your behaviour upon (the girl) has been very significant indeed.

"There may have been other contributory factors but I have no doubt at all that the predominant cause of her continuing problems is your abuse of her."

The victim's mother broke down in tears when the judge described how the jury found Isaac had raped her on two occasions.

He said Isaac had admitted inciting the girl to perform a sex act on him and was further convicted of touching the girl improperly over her clothes, when he was under the influence of alcohol and the drug ecstasy.

Isaac was told he would have to register as a sex offender for life, and abide by the conditions of a sexual offences prevention order designed to keep him away from youngsters.

Robin Shellard, prosecuting, told the jury Isaac had been warned by the pastor of his church about his "unnatural affections" for the girl.

He said: "There were battles going on inside of Mr Isaac. He was a church-goer and he battled with his lust and temptation from the Devil.

"Too often that temptation from the Devil got the better of him."

Mr Shellard said the youngster, described in court as "a very vulnerable 14-year-old girl" had thought Isaac was "fun".

He added: "The prosecution say it was deliberate cultivation to gain her trust."

Mr Shellard said Isaac would cuddle the girl, discuss sexual matters with her and touch her intimately when he was alone with her.

Mr Shellard said the girl confided in a friend, who recorded things in her diary and told their school.

The court heard, though, when police were alerted his victim downplayed what was happening and Isaac was simply handed a caution.

Mr Shellard said Isaac was able to continue his abuse and the girl went "off the rails" by smoking, truanting and self-harming.

Isaac had told the court that, after being cautioned for improperly touching the girl, he still had feelings for her, even though he knew she was too young and a sexual relationship was "completely inappropriate".

He said that, when she was aged 14, he asked her if she wanted sex and she said "yes".

He told the court: "I felt just by her behaviour that she wanted sex with me. I wanted sex with her, I suggested it, she said 'yes' and we had sex."

Source: "Bristol churchgoer who gave in to 'temptation from the devil' guilty of twice raping girl, 14," Bristol Evening Post, March 3, 2010