Simon Berry 35

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A MAN has been jailed for a series of sexual offences, including two rapes, against a young boy over a ten-year period.

Over a period of time, Simon Berry groomed a child in his local community, who was aged under ten.

Having gained the boys trust, Berry, who was in his early 20s at the time, systematically assaulted him for nearly ten years.

Detective Constable Stewart Cameron, of the Brighton and Hove safeguarding investigation unit, said Berry denied all wrongdoing, which meant that the victim, now himself in his twenties, had to give evidence at court.

Now aged 33, Berry has been sentenced to 13-years in prison having been convicted of 16 counts of sexual assaults on the boy, including two rapes.

In addition, Berry, of Whitehawk Road, Brighton, will also serve a further two years on extended prison licence.

At Southwark Crown Court, he was told that he will be a registered sex offender for life and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, also to last for life, severely restricting his access to children and to digital communications devices.

Detective Constable Cameron said the victims evidence was pivotal in securing Berry's convictions.

"He has now faced justice at last, another example of the way in which we can successfully investigate such predatory offenders and safeguard local communities, he said.