Man found guilty of sexually assaulting a child 20 years ago

A man has been found guilty of several counts of sexually abusing a boy around 20 years ago.

The jury at Gloucester Crown Court took less than an hour to find 41-year-old Wayne Harris guilty of six offences against the child.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced next week.

Harris was found guilty on 3 April of four counts of causing or inciting a child aged under 13 to engage in sexual activity and two counts of sexual activity in the presence of a child.

During the four day trial the court heard how when Harris was aged in his early 20s he sexually abused the boy on multiple occasions.

He also engaged in sexual activity with a woman while in the presence of the child for his own sexual gratification.

Harris denied that anything of a sexual nature had occurred with the child, telling the court that the victim had made up the story, however the jury found him guilty.

Harris, of Smithy Close, Coleford, is due to be sentenced on Monday 14 April.

Detective Constable Victoria Bygrave said: "Harris is a devious, manipulative, sexual predator who subjected his victim to a catalogue of horrific sexual offences when he was just 11 years old. 

“Throughout the investigation Harris has lied and attempted to deceive at every turn in order to cover up his deplorable crimes, depicting the victim as a malicious individual who was only making the allegation in order to ruin his life.

"I am so grateful to the jury for seeing through his lies and convicting Harris after just under an hour of deliberations. This shows how truly sure of his guilt they were.

"These offences have had a long-standing and far reaching impact on the victim. It is a true testament to him that he came forward and supported this investigation, disclosing the traumatic events that took place when he was just a young child and having the courage to give evidence in court against his abuser after so many years.

"There is often stigma attached to male victims of sexual violence with them feeling embarrassed as to what has happened to them and feeling as though they will not be believed. I want to assure any victims of sexual violence regardless of your gender that we will listen to you and support you throughout an investigation."