Pet shop director jailed indefinitely for sex attacks

The former director of an Aberdeenshire pet shop has been jailed indefinitely for sexually abusing two women and four young girls over a 17-year period.

Paul Patrick, 61, attacked some of his victims at the premises of Pawz N Klawz Pet Supplies in Aboyne.

Patrick had denied a series of charges at his trial but was convicted of 19 offences, including two counts of rape and five of sexual assault.

Judge Lord Stuart imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) and ordered that Patrick must serve eight-and-a-half years imprisonment before he is eligible to seek release.

The judge told Patrick that his release will be a matter to be decided by the parole board.

He said: "Your actions have caused severe psychological and emotional harm.

"One of the complainers was 14-years-old and particularly vulnerable when you raped and sexually assaulted her."

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Patrick's offences took place between 2006 and 2023.

He was also found guilty of lewd behaviour, indecent communications and breaching bail.

The court heard that an expert who prepared a detailed report on Patrick considered that he has an anti-social, narcissistic, psychopathic disorder and posed a high risk.

Defence counsel Lily Prais KC said that Patrick continued to deny the crimes.

The trial was told that Patrick's first victim was 12 when he first started abusing her at various locations.

He made sexual remarks to a second girl at the pet shop premises on several occasions.

Patrick sexually assaulted a woman at the business and directed sexualised comments to her at the shop before exposing himself and raping the woman.

Another girl was sent a sexual image and messages by him in Aberdeen.

In 2021 he attacked and raped a 14-year-old girl in Aboyne and made a sexual remark to her.

Then in 2023 he sexually assaulted a woman in the village.

One woman told the court that she knew Patrick had a pet shop in Aboyne and she said she became uncomfortable in his presence.

She said: "There was always comments of a sexual nature. I remember specifically comments about me and what I was wearing."

Patrick, who followed the sentencing proceedings via a TV link to HMP Grampian, was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Lord Stuart also made non-harassment orders banning Patrick from contacting or attempting to contact victims.

Following the sentencing, Det Insp Kerry McCombie said: "Patrick believed he was above the law, carrying out a sustained pattern of abuse over many years, but he will now faces the consequences of his despicable actions.

"I want to recognise the strength shown by the victims in coming forward and supporting the investigation.

"I hope this outcome provides them with some sense of justice and reassurance."