A figure once admired within the Perth and Kinross community for his charitable endeavors, particularly the establishment of a popular cycling event in the region, has been handed a significant prison sentence for a horrific sexual assault. Paul Zarb, aged 65, was incarcerated after being found guilty of raping a woman who was experiencing an epileptic seizure at the time.
The grave incident unfolded in August 2023, following an evening out with friends. During this period, some consensual sexual activity had taken place between Zarb and the victim. However, the situation took a deeply disturbing turn when the woman unexpectedly suffered an epileptic fit. Despite his awareness of her medical condition, Zarb callously disregarded her incapacitation and continued the sexual act, leaving her in a state of extreme vulnerability and without the capacity to provide consent.
The aftermath of the assault left the victim profoundly distressed, leading her to seek help via a helpline, where her emotional state was clearly evident to those assisting her. Evidence presented in court also included a text message sent by Zarb to the victim shortly after the incident, stating, “I’m so sorry,” a communication that underscored his immediate acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
Zarb, a resident of Kelty, had consistently denied the charges. Nevertheless, after a thorough trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, he was convicted of rape. His sentencing took place at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, where he received a four-and-a-half-year custodial sentence.
Prior to these grave events, Zarb held a respected position within the local sporting and charitable landscape. In 2011, he was instrumental in founding Sportive Kinross, an annual cycling event that winds its way through the picturesque landscapes of Kinross-shire and Fife. Over the years, this event grew considerably, drawing participants from across the UK and successfully raising more than £110,000 for various charitable causes. This background contrasts sharply with the severity of the crime for which he has now been convicted, marking a tragic fall from grace for a man once associated with positive community contributions.
During the sentencing, Judge Alistair Watson delivered a stern indictment of Zarb’s actions. He characterized the assault against the “particularly vulnerable” woman as “cowardly,” highlighting the egregious breach of trust involved. The judge emphasized that the victim “lost all awareness of her surroundings” once her seizure began. He noted, “You were aware she was in an epileptic state and had become ‘absent,’ to use your own words.”
Judge Watson further elaborated on Zarb’s betrayal of trust: “She had trusted you to keep her safe, you were aware of her vulnerability. Rather than caring for her welfare at that point, you continued with your sexual activity to satisfy your own desires, ignoring the fact she was in an epileptic state. You did this when she was unaware of what was taking place and quite clearly in no fit state to give consent or otherwise. You abused the trust that she placed in you by raping her in her home.”
While acknowledging Zarb’s past contributions to community life through cycling and similar endeavors, as presented by his defence counsel Peter Robertson, and noting his low risk of re-offending based on a minor prior traffic offence, the judge firmly asserted that these mitigating factors did not diminish the gravity of his crime. The profound psychological impact on the victim, detailed in her impact statement, was a critical consideration in the court’s decision.
In addition to the four-and-a-half-year prison term, Zarb has been indefinitely placed on the sex offenders register, a measure that reflects the enduring nature of his crime. A 15-year non-harassment order has also been imposed to protect the victim. Zarb, appearing via video link from HMP Edinburgh, remained impassive as the sentence was delivered, with his arms folded.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of individuals and the profound responsibility of trust within any community. The Kinross-shire area, where Zarb’s charitable cycling event had become a local highlight, now grapples with the fallout of actions that betray the very essence of community spirit and trust.
The grave incident unfolded in August 2023, following an evening out with friends. During this period, some consensual sexual activity had taken place between Zarb and the victim. However, the situation took a deeply disturbing turn when the woman unexpectedly suffered an epileptic fit. Despite his awareness of her medical condition, Zarb callously disregarded her incapacitation and continued the sexual act, leaving her in a state of extreme vulnerability and without the capacity to provide consent.
The aftermath of the assault left the victim profoundly distressed, leading her to seek help via a helpline, where her emotional state was clearly evident to those assisting her. Evidence presented in court also included a text message sent by Zarb to the victim shortly after the incident, stating, “I’m so sorry,” a communication that underscored his immediate acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
Zarb, a resident of Kelty, had consistently denied the charges. Nevertheless, after a thorough trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, he was convicted of rape. His sentencing took place at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, where he received a four-and-a-half-year custodial sentence.
Prior to these grave events, Zarb held a respected position within the local sporting and charitable landscape. In 2011, he was instrumental in founding Sportive Kinross, an annual cycling event that winds its way through the picturesque landscapes of Kinross-shire and Fife. Over the years, this event grew considerably, drawing participants from across the UK and successfully raising more than £110,000 for various charitable causes. This background contrasts sharply with the severity of the crime for which he has now been convicted, marking a tragic fall from grace for a man once associated with positive community contributions.
During the sentencing, Judge Alistair Watson delivered a stern indictment of Zarb’s actions. He characterized the assault against the “particularly vulnerable” woman as “cowardly,” highlighting the egregious breach of trust involved. The judge emphasized that the victim “lost all awareness of her surroundings” once her seizure began. He noted, “You were aware she was in an epileptic state and had become ‘absent,’ to use your own words.”
Judge Watson further elaborated on Zarb’s betrayal of trust: “She had trusted you to keep her safe, you were aware of her vulnerability. Rather than caring for her welfare at that point, you continued with your sexual activity to satisfy your own desires, ignoring the fact she was in an epileptic state. You did this when she was unaware of what was taking place and quite clearly in no fit state to give consent or otherwise. You abused the trust that she placed in you by raping her in her home.”
While acknowledging Zarb’s past contributions to community life through cycling and similar endeavors, as presented by his defence counsel Peter Robertson, and noting his low risk of re-offending based on a minor prior traffic offence, the judge firmly asserted that these mitigating factors did not diminish the gravity of his crime. The profound psychological impact on the victim, detailed in her impact statement, was a critical consideration in the court’s decision.
In addition to the four-and-a-half-year prison term, Zarb has been indefinitely placed on the sex offenders register, a measure that reflects the enduring nature of his crime. A 15-year non-harassment order has also been imposed to protect the victim. Zarb, appearing via video link from HMP Edinburgh, remained impassive as the sentence was delivered, with his arms folded.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of individuals and the profound responsibility of trust within any community. The Kinross-shire area, where Zarb’s charitable cycling event had become a local highlight, now grapples with the fallout of actions that betray the very essence of community spirit and trust.