Paul Keith Buckland

A 35-year-old man from Plymouth has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a series of horrific child sex offences that took place more than 10 years ago in Tidworth, Wiltshire.

Paul Keith Buckland, residing at Prestonbury Close in Plymouth, was found guilty at Winchester Crown Court of the following crimes: two counts of rape of a child under 13, two counts of attempted rape of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act. The offences occurred while Buckland was living in Tidworth but were not reported to Wiltshire Police until 2020, when the victim bravely came forward with her family.

Buckland refused to attend his sentencing hearing, an action that the court deemed an aggravating factor. In addition to his custodial sentence, he has been placed on the sex offenders’ register and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order to protect the public from further harm.

Investigating officer DC Louise Thomas from the Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT) at Wiltshire Police described Buckland as 'an abhorrent individual who committed unspeakable acts to, and in the presence of, a child.' She highlighted the long-lasting traumatic effects such actions have on victims and commended the victim's courage in reporting the abuse. DC Thomas emphasised that Wiltshire Police remains committed to investigating historical cases of child sexual abuse, no matter how much time has passed since the incidents.

The case, reported on 11th September 2023 by Faye Tryhorn for Greatest Hits Radio Salisbury, serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for child sex offences.