Bristol County church youth group leader convicted of crimes against children in Fall River court denied parole

A Bristol County man will stay behind bars after disturbing cries against children.

According to the Parole Board, in 2003-2004, then 43-year-old Paul Hawksley of Mansfield was one of the leaders of a youth group affiliated with the Fellowship Church in Easton. During this time, Hawksley repeatedly raped a 12-year-old boy (hereinafter the victim), who was a member of the youth group. The victim moved to Easton in 2003 and became involved in the youth group to meet new friends. Hawksley groomed the victim over a period of time-calling him multiple times a day, inviting him to sleepovers, and singling him out with gifts and attention. 

On one occasion, when he was 12 years old, the victim was playing dodgeball at a youth group meeting and left the group to use the church bathroom. Hawksley entered the bathroom and forced the victim to engage in oral sex. On a second occasion, Hawksley brought the victim, along with Hawksley’s family, to a Pawtucket Red Sox game. After the game, the group returned to Hawksley’s house. He and the victim went to the family’s basement to play video games. Hawksley, however, then sexually assaulted the victim. 

On June 25, 2012, after a jury trial in Bristol Superior Court, Hawksley was convicted of rape of a child with force and rape of a child. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole and 20 to 30 years, respectively, to run concurrently with each other. On that same date, he was convicted of two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and an additional count of rape of a child. Each offense received a sentence of 10 years’ probation to be served from and after his current sentence.

Hawksley denies committing the current offense. He has a documented history of prior incarceration for raping multiple children, crimes he admits to, and all of his offenses follow a similar pattern of predatory sexual behavior.

The Board did not find his testimony regarding the current offense credible. It also reviewed his most recent Sex Offender Treatment Program report, which raised specific concerns and recommendations. Of particular concern was Hawksley’s response when asked whether he had any additional victims: “I want to speak the truth, but I don’t want to be brought up on other charges.” The Board viewed this statement as evidence of a complete disregard for the suffering of victims for whom he has never been held accountable.

By unanimous decision, the Board concluded that Hawksley has not demonstrated a sufficient level of rehabilitation, and that his release would not be compatible with the welfare of society.

He will be up in front of the Parole Board again in 5 years.