A Brighton man is starting a 13-year sentence after been convicted of a series of sex offences against a boy over a period of nine years.
Simon Berry, 33, of Whitehawk Road, Brighton, met the boy in their local community - he was then aged under 10 - and groomed him over a period of time, gaining trust, before systematically assaulting him for nearly 10 years.
Berry was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday 24 March, having been convicted in January of 16 counts of sexual assaults on the boy including two rapes.
In addition to the 13-year sentence he will also serve a further two years on extended prison licence, will be a registered sex offender for life and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, also to last for life, severely restricting his access to children and to digital communications devices.
Detective Constable Stewart Cameron of the Brighton & Hove Safeguarding Investigation Unit said:
"Berry denied everything throughout, which meant that his victim, now himself in his twenties, gave evidence at court and his evidence was pivotal in securing Berry's convictions.
"He has now faced justice at last, another example of the way in which we can successfully investigate such predatory offenders and safeguard local communities."
For further information on reporting child sexual offences and the support that is available, see the Sussex Police website.
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