THE former treasurer of a Worle community group has been jailed for six years for indecently assaulting a child.

Paedophile Paul Hunter, formerly of Pelican Close in Mead Vale, stood trial last week for the offences, which took place on multiple occasions.

The court heard how the 50-year-old, formerly the treasurer of the area’s local action team (LAT), carried out the sickening assaults in a vehicle, a cupboard and at a property in the Worle area.

Hunter, who has most recently been living in Weymouth, took the post on the community group committee in about 2005/06.

The court heard on Wednesday how he had previously been convicted of another sexual offence several years ago, but the nature of the incident is unknown.

Following the trial current LAT chairman Ann Withers, who was also on the committee at the time Hunter was treasurer, said: “I always got on with Paul and he seemed like a nice chap, but he obviously had another side to him.

“He was always laughing and always seemed fine.”

Hunter, who was arrested on November 10 at an address in Kestrel Drive, used to be a team leader for Homebase and also previously worked for the Kimitri family at Harbour Heights for 20 years, as well as for Hayers in Locking Road.

He was charged after the victim told their parent about the assaults, but Hunter continued to deny the offences.

One witness told the court that they saw a confrontation between Hunter and his victim, where they accused him of the assaults.

A jury found him guilty of three charges of indecent assault on a child on Friday at Bristol Crown Court, following a three-day trial.