A former care home manager, Naijil Paul, has been jailed for almost eight years after admitting to r@ping a vulnerable colleague and sexually assaulting two others before fleeing the United Kingdom.
Paul, 47, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, December 8, after being extradited from India earlier this year.
Paul had pleaded guilty in October, but the court heard during sentencing that he continued to show “a significant degree of victim blaming” in assessments conducted before his hearing.
Victim threatened with sack before assault
Paul was working as a manager at a care home in Lanarkshire when he targeted his primary victim, a 26-year-old colleague who had just returned from sick leave in April 2018.
Prosecutor Brian Bell told the court that Paul confronted the woman alone in her office, telling her she was at risk of losing her job because of her absence.
He reminded her that she was struggling financially and might be evicted with her children.
He then threatened her: “Do what I want, and your job will be safe.”
Paul forced himself on the woman, r@ping her for around 10 minutes. When the distressed victim fled to the bathroom, he warned her not to report the attack, saying no one would believe her.
She later went off sick again and only disclosed what happened when police began investigating Paul for further offences.
Naijil Paul assaulted two other care assistants
The court also heard that Paul targeted two younger care assistants, aged 19 and 21 at the time.
Paul grabbed the hips of the 19-year-old and attempted to kiss her.
Later, he tried to move her hand toward his private area.
On another occasion, he pulled at her waistband to “see what kind of underwear” she was wearing.
Assault on the 21-year-old
Paul put his hands on her shoulder and waist, telling her, “I know you want it.”
He later tried to kiss her and, after being pushed away, went on to molest her.
The woman said she feared losing her job if she complained.
Fled the UK before trial, arrested in India
Paul was originally due to stand trial in 2019 but failed to appear in court. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he fled to Kochi, India, claiming his father was ill.
He was eventually traced and arrested in February before being extradited back to Scotland.
Paul admitted one count of r@pe and two counts of s€xual assault.
Judge condemns his “Predatory” behaviour
Sentencing Paul to seven years and nine months’ imprisonment—reduced from eight years due to his guilty plea—Lord Renucci said Paul abused his position of authority and continued to distort the truth.
The judge said, “The degree of victim blaming he has embarked upon is concerning. His behaviour was planned, deliberate, and predatory.”
Paul will be on the s€x offenders register for life and placed under an additional two years of supervision after release. He is also banned from approaching or contacting any of the victims.
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