Ex-Warwick School Teacher Abused Five Pupils in the 1980s, Jury Finds

A jury at Warwick Crown Court has found that a former Warwick School teacher sexually abused five pupils in the 1980s, but he will serve no extra time in prison because he has dementia and was unfit to stand trial. The BBC reported the outcome on Wednesday 11 November, the day after the jury’s findings.

Paul Stainsby, 76, taught at the school on Myton Road in the 1980s. He is already in prison: he was jailed for 14 years in 2022 for sexual offences against children at a school in Essex in the 1970s.

What the jury found

Because Mr Stainsby was found unfit to stand trial, the case was heard as a “trial of the facts”. In that kind of hearing a jury decides whether the defendant did the acts he is accused of, rather than returning a verdict on his guilt. On Tuesday 10 November the jury found that he had committed 10 offences against five pupils, the BBC reports:

• eight counts of indecent assault on a boy under 16
• one count of indecent assault on a male aged 16 or over
• one count of inciting a boy under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency.

The court heard that much of the abuse took place in a bedsit within the headmaster’s accommodation at the school, where Mr Stainsby lived, and that the prosecution described his behaviour as grooming.

Why there was no further sentence

Judge Matthew Walsh said Mr Stainsby had a progressive form of dementia that had affected his memory. He acknowledged the victims’ frustration that his prison term wouldn’t be extended, but said there was some justice in their accounts being heard and accepted by a jury. One victim told the court in a statement that the abuse had damaged his confidence and his family relationships for good.

Mr Stainsby will stay in custody until January 2029 under his Essex sentence. After release he will be on strict licence conditions until January 2036 and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Warwick School’s head, James Barker, told the BBC the school’s thoughts were above all with those affected, and paid tribute to the courage of the former pupils who gave evidence.

Getting support

Anyone affected by abuse in childhood can get free, confidential support from NAPAC, the national charity for adults abused as children. Abuse, however long ago, can be reported to Warwickshire Police or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.

The case was also reported by Warwick Nub News.

Alex Harrington