Nine convicted of sex offences against boy who suffered horrifying abuse in care

Nine men have been convicted of committing sexual offences against a teenage boy who was subjected to a “horrifying” catalogue of abuse while in council care.

A three-month trial was told the victim was raped and repeatedly sold for sex in Birmingham’s red light district during 2009 and 2010.

Jurors at Warwick Crown Court deliberated for more than 30 hours before convicting eight defendants from the West Midlands, London and Stoke-on-Trent of offences involving the boy.

A ninth man was cleared by the jury of committing offences against the teenager but had previously admitted facilitating child prostitution in relation to the victim.

A tenth defendant – former Special Constable Ronald Potter (pictured, right), aged 78 and from Tipper’s Hill Lane, Fillongley, near Coventry – was convicted of two indecent assaults committed against another boy in 2001 and 2002 but cleared of rape and sexual activity with a child.

The trial heard that the victim who was in local authority care was left “traumatised” by the offences against him, which began in his early teens.

Opening the case against the defendants in February, prosecutor Rosina Cottage QC said the complainant, now aged in his early 20s, was first spoken to by police in 2009.

Ms Cottage said of the victim: “Regrettably his contemporaneous complaints were not fully investigated by West Midlands Police in 2009 and 2010.”

But during a subsequent inquiry in 2012, the teenager, who cannot be identified, was able to point police towards those involved in his alleged exploitation.

The youngster – who was sold “like goods” in Birmingham city centre – had a troubled family background and absconded from a care home in the Midlands for a number of days, the court heard.

Jurors also acquitted two other men – Darren Clegg, 28, and 68-year-old Peter Lowe – of all charges.

Clegg, of Hillside Drive, Great Barr, Birmingham, was found not guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Lowe, of Salisbury Close, Moseley, Birmingham, was cleared of six charges, including arranging prostitution.

Judge Sylvia de Bertodano warned the 10 men convicted of offences that they will face terms of imprisonment when they are sentenced on July 1.

West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Carl Foulkes said the two complainants had shown incredible bravery throughout the investigation and the court process.

The senior officer said: “They both gave evidence against their abusers and this cannot have been an easy thing to do.”

Mr Foulkes added of those convicted: “It has been a long and complex process to bring these men to trial when initially it was believed that there wasn’t enough evidence.

“Thanks to an extensive review which has taken four years to bring to trial, we have now seen justice for those subjected to horrific offences. I hope this gives them some closure.

“There are elements of learning from this investigation and its subsequent review that we have to reflect on as an organisation in respect of why the original inquiry didn’t bring successful charges.”

Details of nine men convicted of child sex abuse

The nine defendants convicted at Warwick Crown Court of offences connected to the sexual abuse of a teenager who was in council care are:

Robert Bailey, 27, of Watt Road, Erdington, Birmingham. He was found guilty of arranging or facilitating child prostitution, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, sexual activity with a child, and making indecent photographs. He was cleared of rape.

Michael Godbold (pictured, top), 57, of Uxbridge Rd, Shepherd’s Bush, London, was acquitted of two counts of rape but convicted of sexual activity with a child, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, arranging or facilitating child prostitution, and possession of controlled drugs. As he was led away to the cells, Godbold shouted: “I am not guilty of half these charges.” Judge de Bertodano responded: “That’s something you can discuss with your barrister.”

Tahir Hussain, 34, of St Josephs Road, Ward End, Birmingham, was cleared of 15 charges, including trafficking for sexual exploitation, but found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child.

Peter Joynes, 58, of Canberra Way, Highgate, Birmingham, was convicted of arranging or facilitating child prostitution and sexual activity with a child.

Stephen Kelly, of Elm Road, Bournville, Birmingham, was found guilty of two counts of arranging or facilitating child prostitution and one of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. The 39-year-old was cleared on three other charges. Kelly was told by the judge that a prison sentence in his case is inevitable.

Ian Prestleton, of High Haden Road, Cradley Heath, West Midlands, was found guilty of sexual activity with a child but cleared of rape. The 54-year-old was told a custodial sentence is the “almost inevitable outcome” when he answers bail in July.

Alan Priest (pictured, right), 63, of Mucklow Hill, Halesowen, West Midlands, was convicted of two rapes and one count of sexual activity with a child.

Ashley Sherrington, 25, of Dawlish Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, was convicted of two counts of rape. The trial judge remanded Sherrington in custody and warned him: “You have been convicted of very serious offences, the result of which will be a lengthy term of imprisonment.”

Kevin Tudor, 55, of no fixed address, was cleared by the jury on four charges, including three rapes, but had previously pleaded guilty two counts of sexual activity with a child and facilitating prostitution.

Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2016, All Rights Reserved. Pictures (c) Joe Giddens / PA Wire.