Braintree man found guilty of serious sexual assault
He attacked the same victim on two separate occasions
Last updated 6th May 2022
A Braintree man has been found guilty of carrying out two serious sexual assaults.
43 year old Paul Gellen, of Goldingham Drive, attacked the same victim on two separate occasions in December 2019 and in March 2020.
He was giving them a lift home after a night out.
He was arrested after the second incident and later charged with rape, sexual assault, and assault by penetration.
He initially denied the chraged by was found guilty at the end of his trial on Thursday (May 5).
Gellen will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court in June.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Liv Howells, of Essex Police, said: “Paul Gellen is a sexual predator who saw the victim’s vulnerabilities as an opportunity.
“On both occasions she was not in a position to give consent and Gellen took advantage of this for his own sexual gratification.
“The absence of someone saying ‘no’ is not the same as them saying yes.
“I cannot stress enough the importance consent in any situation where sex or sexual activity may take place.
“If either party says ‘no’ or is not in a position to say ‘yes’, then stop.
“I want to praise the victim for her strength and courage in coming forward to report what happened and through the investigation and trial."