Guilford man pleads not guilty to child sexual abuse | Local News

BRATTLEBORO – A 39-year-old Guilford man is accused of sexually abusing a child for eight years and could face life in prison if found guilty.

According to Windham Superior Court records, the investigation into Paul Colburn, who is accused of assaulting the child in Guilford and Charlestown, NH, began in 2021 when the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families notified Vermont State Police that it had received a report of the alleged abuse.

On Friday, Colburn pleaded not guilty in the Criminal Division of Windham Superior Court to two counts of sexual abuse of a child under 16 and one count of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child.

During questioning by Vermont State Police investigators, Colburn repeatedly denied assaulting the child and stated he would never hurt the child. He said he did not know why the child would make such accusations.

Colburn also claimed that he was sexually abused by his father and that he would never “do what he went through” to a child.

Vermont State Police interviewed Colburn’s father, Paul Colburn Sr., in January 2023. He admitted to the abuse he committed and for which he was incarcerated. According to court documents, Colburn’s 63-year-old father has not been in trouble since 2000, except in 2016, when he was convicted of driving under the influence.

“Paul stated his son would blame his father for what was going on and say he couldn’t have done anything because of what happened to him,” Trooper Tyler Noyes wrote in a June 28 affidavit. “Paul stated his son refused to take responsibility for what he did. He said he knew it would happen sooner or later. He said he had spent too much time in prison with other offenders and he had been taught what to look out for.”

Colburn Sr. told investigators his son refused to seek therapy for the incident, blamed others for his problems, was aggressive, lied and constantly changed his story, Noyes wrote.

Colburn was released on the condition that he have no contact with the alleged victim or the child’s family members and have no contact with anyone under the age of 16.

His next court date has not yet been scheduled.