Evil paedophile who sexually abused children in Sheffield during the 1980s and 1990s convicted of catalogue of crimes

Picture issued by South Yorkshire Police of Paul Andrew Degenhart

Evil Paul Andrew Degenhart was convicted at Sheffield Crown Court today (Friday) of a catalogue of child sex crimes which took place in the 1980s and 1990s.

Following three days of deliberation by a jury, the 48-year-old was found guilty of 33 out of 34 charges of various sexual offences committed against children in Sheffield, including rape and attempted rape.

Police hailed the convictions as a victory for Degenhart's victims, who showed "tremendous bravery" recounting the horrific details of their abuse to authorities to bring him to justice.

Degenhart was found guilty of 33 offences – 20 counts of indecent assault, six counts of indecency with a child, four counts of rape, two counts of buggery and one count of attempted rape.

Buggery is no longer an offence in British law, but people are still able to be charged with it if it relates to offences which occurred before it was repealed in 2004.

Detective Constable Helen Barrett, who led the investigation into Degenhart’s crimes, said: “I wish to firstly commend the victims in this case, who have each demonstrated tremendous bravery in relaying to the police details of their horrific sexual abuse.

“Degenhart refused to accept responsibility for his crimes, meaning those victims have also had to recount before a jury the awful things that were done to them as children. They carried themselves with dignity and were very courageous throughout this process.

“The jury has seen fit to return guilty verdicts on Degenhart’s awful crimes today, such was the strength of the victims’ evidence put before the court. He groomed and abused his victims, repeatedly subjecting them to sexual violence and threatening them not to tell anyone.

“Degenhart has been convicted of serious sexual offences and I hope the victims are able to take some sense of closure and justice from this.”

Degenhart has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday 18 November.

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