Prison boss who sexually assaulted staff sentenced

A prison manager who "abused his role" and sexually assaulted two female officers while at work has been sentenced.

Paul Hunt, 59, assaulted the two women while he was on duty as a custodial manager at HMP Hewell in Redditch, Worcestershire, in 2023.

A trial at Worcester Crown Court heard he "groped" and "intentionally touched" one of the women and kissed another on the mouth, without her consent.

Hunt, of Redditch, had denied the charges but was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and was handed a 12-month community order.

During the seven-day trial, jurors heard the offences took place in 2023, whilst Hunt was in charge of the operation of the prison, in his role as a custodial manager.

Prosecutor Lisa Hancox told the court Hunt had "abused his role" to sexually assault the two women.

"They were colleagues of his, that were junior to him," she said.

"They trusted that when alone in his company, they would be safe."

One female officer, who had worked at the prison for many years, told the court Hunt had "groped" her breast and touched her inappropriately on 6 January 2023, when they were working a night shift.

Reading out her victim impact statement, she said she struggled to sleep following what she described as a "traumatic experience".

She said she was told by others to "keep quiet", but the damage "will stay with me forever".

"I'm left with a distrust of managers," she added. "He stuck his tongue down my throat.

"[It's} a senior rank that hurt me and I don't know when that wound will heal."

The other woman told the court she also no longer trusts senior staff following the assault, during which Hunt kissed her without her consent.

"Because this happened at work... I don't feel comfortable being alone with a male colleague," she said.

"He was also a senior rank," she said. "Since the incident, I don't trust any senior colleagues."

The court was told Hunt was someone both women had "known for years and therefore trusted".

After groping one of the officers, the defendant told her what had happened "would be their secret," Ms Hancox added.

Michael Aspinall, defending, said Hunt had since admitted his actions and regret for his behaviour and had lost his job, which he had held for 19 years.

He added the offending was "out of character" and Hunt had understood that his actions were "wholly, wholly unacceptable".

Sentencing Hunt for two counts of sexual assault, one against each woman, Judge Seanin Gilmore highlighted the offences had taken place when the victims were "alone and vulnerable".

She said his conduct had had a "devastating impact" on both women, who were still suffering from the repercussions.

"You were in a managerial role," Judge Gilmore told the defendant.

"Your victims were isolated at the time of your offending and were vulnerable as a result."

Hunt was given a 12-month community order and ordered to complete a 10-day rehabilitation activity.

The judge told Hunt, who had no previous convictions, he would also be subject to a curfew for four months, between 19:00 and 07:00 each night.

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