‘You’re dying tonight’: Former kids’ TV presenter Paul Ballard’s chilling threat to woman as he raped her
A former children’s TV presenter who told a woman “you’re dying tonight” while raping her has been jailed.
A former UK kids’ TV presenter who told a woman “you’re dying tonight” while raping her has been jailed.
Back in July, Paul ‘Des’ Ballard was found guilty of attacking the victim in a hotel room.
The 39-year-old was found guilty of rape, attempted rape, assault, criminal damage, and threats to kill.
And on Friday the former children’s TV presenter, from Theydon Bois, Essex, was jailed for 10 years at Chelmsford Crown Court, reports The Mirror.
Detective Constable Dan Lambert who led the investigation said, “Today, Ballard has been sentenced to 10 years in jail after subjecting the woman to a terrifying ordeal.
“Our priority throughout this investigation has been ensuring her welfare and securing justice for her. The strength she has shown has been remarkable throughout.
“As a force, we take crimes against women and girls extremely seriously and I very proud to have played a part in securing justice for Ballard’s victim and he will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars as a result.
“I want to again pay tribute to the bravery shown by the victim in this case.
“No one should ever have to go through the ordeal she has endured but I hope there is some comfort in the knowledge that her attacker is now behind bars for some time.”
Terrifying attack
The court heard that Ballard attacked the woman in a hotel room in Hatfield Heath, Essex, on September 19 last year.
His terrified victim managed to escape the room and informed a member of staff about the attack who called the police.
Ballard denied raping and threatening the victim, claiming that they had consensual sex.
He had starred on GMTV’s program Diggit from 1998 to 2002 with Fearne Cotton, Craig Doyle, and Reggie Yates.
In a separate incident, Ballard also killed two people in February last year after losing control of his VW Golf and ploughing into cars while high on cannabis and cocaine.
He was driving between “88mph and 104mph” (142km/h and 168km/h) in a 30mph (50km/h) zone, while high on drugs, a court heard.
Eileen Haskell, 64, who was travelling in a Ford Kuga, was killed in the crash in Romford, East London.
The second victim, schoolteacher Richard Trezise, 48, was waiting at a bus stop with his wife and children when he was struck in the chest by the car and killed in the pileup.
Eight cars were involved in the collision and at least seven people were treated in hospital.
Ballard admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving but denied two counts of causing death by driving while uninsured, which will not be pursued.
He was jailed for nine years and will be disqualified for seven once he is released from prison.
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission
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