Mansfield Man Convicted of Child Rape in Easton Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

The following is a press release from the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

District Attorney Sam Sutter announced Monday that Paul Hawksley, 43, of Mansfield, was convicted in Fall River Superior Court Monday of rape of a child with force, two counts of statutory rape of a child, and one count of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. 

The incident ocurred in Easton.

Between 2003 and late 2004 Paul Hawksley volunteered as a Youth Leader at the Free Evangelical Church in Easton. During that time he was a small group leader of sixth grade boys during Youth Group.  It is here that he chose his victim, a young boy then aged eleven. 

Hawksley lured this young boy into a friendship, calling him frequently, buying him gifts and inviting him to his home.  On one occasion he took him to a Pawtucket Red Sox game then to his home in Mansfield, where he, forcefully, sexually assaulted the young boy. 

On another occasion he sexually assaulted the boy in a church bathroom in Easton.  The young boy did not disclose for some time, as is common in these cases.  With the support of his family, the boy began to disclose the sexual abuse. 

With the diligent work of Easton, Detective Sergeant John Lynn, the defendant was charged. The victim, now twenty years old, took the stand and testified.  Paul Hawksley was convicted of forcible rape of a child, two indictments for statutory rape of child and one charge on indecent assault and battery on a child under fourteen years of age.  

Superior Court Justice Thomas F. McGuire sentenced Paul Hawksley to life in prison on the rape of a child with force, 20 – 30 years concurrent on one of the statutory rapes, followed by ten years of probation, with many conditions to commence on and after the imposed sentence for the remaining two charges.  The case was prosecuted by 2nd Assistant District Attorney Silvia Rudman.

“There is no more despicable crime than the forcible rape of a child by an adult. And this defendant had committed this heinous crime before. Consequently, I am very pleased with the life sentence plus the concurrent sentence of 20 – 30 years in State Prison,” District Attorney Sutter said. “I congratulate Silvia Rudman for her outstanding advocacy and the entire prosecutor team for their diligent and successful work.”