Paul Wood

A Cleethorpes man, Paul Wood, aged 60, has been jailed for more than 20 years following his conviction for a series of serious sexual offences against three young girls committed in the 1990s.

The abuse came to light when the victims reported the incidents to the police in 2023, prompting an investigation that led to Wood's arrest and subsequent charges. Despite denying all allegations, Wood faced trial at Grimsby Crown Court where a jury found him guilty on all 17 counts on 10 March 2026. The charges encompassed five counts of rape of a girl under 13, ten counts of assault by touching a girl under 13, one count of sexual assault, and one count of attempted rape of a girl under 13.

Wood was sentenced to a 21-year custodial term and received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order to restrict his future behaviour and protect the public. The case was handled by Humberside Police, with Detective Constable Natalie Jones commenting on the bravery of the victims: 'The victims in the case have shown great courage from the outset of this investigation, and I’d like to thank them for coming forward and reporting Wood’s abuse.' She further emphasised the force's commitment to pursuing justice for historical sexual abuse, stating: 'This case is testament to the fact that no matter when sexual abuse happened, we will investigate it and seek justice. Wood is a dangerous paedophile who belongs behind bars.'

The offences occurred over a period in the 1990s, highlighting the long-term impact on the victims, now young women, who have demonstrated resilience in coming forward after decades. The sentencing provides public accountability and aims to allow the victims to move forward with their lives.