Former Great Ormond Street Hospital Porter Paul Farrell sentenced to life imprisonment for child abuse offences | Bolt Burdon Kemp Former Great Ormond Street Hospital Porter Paul Farrell sentenced to life imprisonment for child abuse offences | Bolt Burdon Kemp

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Former Great Ormond Street Hospital Porter Paul Farrell sentenced to life imprisonment for child abuse offences

Farrell was today, 24th May 2021, sentenced to life imprisonment.

Farrell had worked at Great Ormond Street as a hospital porter between 1994 and 2000.

He pleaded guilty to 76 offences against eight victims, between 1985 and 2000.

These charges included multi-incident charges, meaning that there over 560 incidents.  However, the Court heard how the incidents of abuse were likely to number in their thousands.

On sentencing, the judge HHJ Lucas QC commented that it was clear to him that it was unarguable that Farrell was dangerous to the public – particularly young boys.

He also found that the severe psychiatric harm suffered by his victims as well as how vulnerable they already were and Farrell’s detailed and calculated planning of the abuse – meant that Farrell’s culpability was at the highest end of the spectrum.

This psychiatric harm was made clear throughout the case, with the victims having described the impact on all aspects of their lives including relationships with friends, family and partners, changes in mood and difficulty managing emotion and impact on studying and work.

The sentence of life imprisonment was imposed with a minimum term of 18 years; meaning that Farrell will not be eligible to be considered for release before the Parole Board until 18 years have passed.

HHJ Lucas QC ended the hearing by addressing the victims and their families, explaining that whilst he understands that his doing so will not trigger a feeling of relief, he wanted them to know that none of this was their fault.

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