Gloucestershire man found guilty of child sex offences
41 year old Wayne Harris's crimes happened around 20 years ago
A Gloucestershire 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, from Smithy Close in Coleford, guilty of six offences against the child.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on Monday (14th April).
Harris has been convicted 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.
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.”