‘Evil’ teaching assistant who sexually abused and groomed 10-year-old boy sentenced to eight years in prison

9 June 2024, 08:39

An “evil” teaching assistant who sexually abused and made sexual advances towards a 10-year-old boy has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Denise Povall, from Ripon in North Yorkshire, showered her victim with gifts and sent text messages so she could carry out her campaign of abuse.

The detective who led the investigation described her repeated crimes as “evil.”

Povall had sexual intercourse with the child and performed sexual acts on several occasions, North Yorkshire Police said after her conviction.

The offences occurred in the 2000s when she worked at a school in the Harrogate area.

Povall, now 61, continued to deny any offence but was convicted following a trial at York Crown Court.

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Her victim came forward as an adult and complained to the police about what she had to endure as an elementary school student.

It led to what police called a “comprehensive investigation of the teaching assistant and lunch supervisor.”

Povall was charged with a number of serious crimes, including sexual abuse, inciting sexual intercourse with a child, inciting sexual acts with a child and sexual abuse by touching.

A jury found her guilty on all counts.

Povall was sentenced to eight years in prison on Friday and will sign the sex offenders’ register upon her release.

Outside court, Detective Constable Alison Morris, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a long and comprehensive investigation into some of the most serious crimes we face as crime investigators.”

“What we have uncovered can only be described as vicious and persistent sexual abuse of a young child by a paedophile.

“Povall has taken no responsibility for the harm she caused to her victim’s life, so I am glad we were able to provide the victim with some closure.

“He was incredibly brave to speak out, especially given the widespread misconception that women do not commit such crimes.”

DC Morris added: “Because of the way paedophiles like Povall prepare, manipulate and control their victims, we know that child sexual abuse is underreported.”

“That’s why I want anyone who believes they have been sexually abused – no matter how long ago it happened – to know that they can come forward.”