Cunard responds to abuse case

Paul Trotter abused youngsters in his care on cruise ships

A man whose job it was to look after children on board the most famous cruise liners in the world has pleaded guilty to abusing his position of trust by carrying out assaults on young children.

Today, Paul Trotter pleaded guilty to taking and possessing indecent images of children and of abusing 13 boys. The 34-year-old, from Wiltshire, worked in the children's play zone onboard three Southampton based ships - including The Queen Mary 2 - and her sister vessel, the Queen Elizabeth, all operated by Cunard. He carried out the abuse between 2004 and August last year, when he was arrested.

All of Paul Trotter's victims were under the age of 13. He pleaded guilty at Swindon Crown Court this afternoon. He managed to carry out his crimes despite criminal checks and Cunard's own vetting procedures.

The investigation meant identifying and supporting the victims, and their families, who were involved. Paul Trotter will be sentenced on May the 11th. After the guilty plea Fred Dinenage and Sangeeta Bhabra interviewed Peter Shanks the President of Cunard about the case.