Paul James Ketchup sentenced in Townsville District Court for sexual assault of woman with dementia

A man went into a senior woman’s unit and assaulted her leaving her bruised before she went to her daughter’s work for help. Warning: distressing.

Townsville District Court: Paul James Ketchup sentenced for sexual assault of woman with dementia

A man sexually assaulted a senior woman who only weighed 40kg and had dementia, a court was told during his sentence.

Paul James Ketchup was sentenced for inflicting the disturbing offences on the woman in her 70s as she sat in her armchair watching T.V. at night.

Documents published by Queensland Court detailed the horror offending which transpired on March 25, 2023 whereby the 54-year-old man went into the woman’s unit “fondling his penis”.

“You did that,” Judge Smith said during the sentence in Townsville District Court.

The woman, who weighed only 40kg and had dementia, walked into her kitchen and the man followed, with him pressing himself up against her, the court documents outlined.

“She told you to get away and you continued this by squeezing her or holding her causing bruises,” His Honour said.

“She told you to get out. She was frightened.”

The judge described that the woman went to her daughter’s workplace by taxi to get help.

He noted the man made admissions to police but “not entirely” and that photographs depicted her injuries.

“I have also read the victim impact statement and clearly enough this has had a pretty significant effect on this lady,” His Honour said.

He acknowledged the man had been a “chronic alcoholic” since the 80s, with his brother and son having died by suicide and suggested the man engage in support to go on a mental health plan when released from prison.

“You wanted to see a psychiatrist concerning that,” Judge Smith said.

“That might not be a bad idea actually, if you tried to get treatment for that. So when you get out perhaps go and see the GP and go on a mental health plan because it would have been a pretty horrific experience and it seems to me you probably need to - do need some counselling over that.

“Hopefully ATSILS can try and tee up some accommodation with you - for you at the Salvation Army. Can they do that today? I think that’s crucial if that’s possible.”

He also had a 24-page criminal history which spanned from offences such as public nuisance to grievous bodily harm.

“I hope that you do get some help for whatever problems you have,” he said.

The man pleaded guilty to indecent assault.

He was sentenced to 12 months jail immediately suspended as the 276 days the man spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time already served.

Originally published as Paul James Ketchup sentenced in Townsville District Court for sexual assault of woman with dementia