Man jailed for historic sex offences against young boys

A man has been sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for a series of sexual assaults on two boys, police said.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Oct 2016, 19:20 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 03:12 BST

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Roy Thorp, 72, of Brook Way, Lancing. Picture: Sussex PoliceRoy Thorp, 72, of Brook Way, Lancing. Picture: Sussex Police
Roy Thorp, 72, of Brook Way, Lancing. Picture: Sussex Police

After a thorough police investigation, and following a week-long trial at Chichester Crown Court in August, Roy Thorp, 72, of Brook Way, Lancing, was found guilty of 11 counts of sexual assault on a male and five counts of gross indecency with a child.

On Friday, October 21, at the same court, he was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment by judge Christopher Parker.

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He was also issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) restricting his access to children, and will be a registered sex offender for life, police added.

Nine historic offences happened against one boy at various addresses and locations in West Sussex, police said.

Five were of indecent assault and four were of incitement to gross indecency.

Police said the other boy was offended against eight times at various locations and addresses, principally in East Sussex.

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Six offences were of indecent assault and two were of gross indecency.

Detective Constable Claire Mitchell of Worthing CID said: “Thorp came to know both boys and in each case he gained their confidence and took advantage of their natural naivety and vulnerability just for his own sexual gratification.

“They harboured these terrible secrets into adulthood, causing them both great stress and personal problems.

“We particularly admire the way they both had the strength to give evidence in open court, so that they could face their abuser personally.”

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She added: “Anyone who wishes to report non-recent or recent sexual offences against them or anyone else can always contact us via [email protected] or call 101, and arrange to talk in confidence to specially trained detectives.”

In sentencing Thorp, Judge Parker also commended the victims who came forward to give evidence for their courage in doing so.

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