Locations
Coronation Road, Cranfield, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK43
Description
The victim of a Bedfordshire paedophile has told of his "relief" after speaking out about the Bedfordshire paedophile who sexually abused him from when he was just 10 years old.
The victim said that before he spoke to police he was "writing off" his life.
Michael Fensom, now 78, of Coronation Road in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, starting abusing the victim in 2000.
The abuse stopped about five years later in the victim's mid-teens when he was attending middle school.
Telling how Fensom had sexually abused and indecently assaulted him, using excuses to get him on his own at his home, and on trips out, the victim said: "I've had to live for years knowing about it, keeping it a secret, writing off my life.
"Since the start of this whole thing with the police, it’s not easier to live with, but it feels like there’s more support there than you could ever imagine."
He added: "I didn’t want to have that first conversation with a police officer, but when I did, it just felt good.
"For me to be able to come out and say it after a long time, that helps a lot, and with support, I think I’ll be alright."
In September this year Fensom pleaded guilty to nine counts of indecent assault on a male and four counts of sexual activity with a child.
He pleaded not guilty to a further three charges of indecent assault on a male and two counts of sexual activity with a child, and these charges will lay on file.
He has also been placed on the sex offenders register for life.
Fensom was sentenced at Luton Crown on Tuesday (January 26) to nine years and six months in prison, with an extended 12 months licence period.
Fensom was first arrested in February 2018 after the victim found the courage to speak to police after confiding with his partner about the historical abuse.
After the predator denied the allegations an investigation into the abuse was launched.
Detective Constable Charlie Sermons, from Bedfordshire Police’s Public Protection Unit, who investigated the case, said: "It took a lot of courage for this man to open up and admit what had happened to him as a child.
"Fensom was someone he trusted as a boy, and in return, he subjected him to repeated sexual abuse over several years. His victim, fearing he would never be believed, felt unable to tell anyone what was happening until many years later."
He added: "I want to thank the victim for finding the courage to open up and come forward, and I would also like to thank his partner for her support.
"I know that this sentence won’t bring back those lost years, but I hope seeing Fensom jailed will give him some closure.
"It is never too late to report sexual offences, no matter when they happened, and this case shows that you will be believed, and we will do all we can to see an offender brought to justice."
Detective Inspector Martin Eaton said: "We know only too well that a victim may carry this burden for many years before they are ready to open up about what has happened.
"If you are experiencing, or have ever been subjected to, sexual abuse, please report it, don’t carry this by yourself.
"Our specially trained officers, together with a network of partner agencies, are ready to listen, and can support and guide you through an investigation and beyond."