Essex: Man convicted of historic sexual abuse

15/03/2011

A man, who is currently serving an indeterminate prison sentence for sexual grooming, has today been sentenced to 11 years imprisonment for various sexual offences.

Ian Price, 49, was found guilty of 13 counts of sexual offences relating to historical sexual abuse which took place in the 1970s and 80s.

He had previously admitted two counts of indecent assault on a female and one count of sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13. 

But he had denied a further 19 counts of abuse, including rape, attempted rape, indecent assault and buggery.

Basildon Crown Court heard how the abuse occurred over a 13 year period, between August 1971 and September 1984 on Canvey Island, Essex.

Price was found guilty today following a trial on four counts of indecent assault on a female, one count of rape, seven counts of indecent assault on a male and one of buggery. He was acquitted of five counts of indecent assault.

District Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Michelle Brown said: "We are pleased with todays conviction and sentence and hope it provides the victims with some form of closure so they can put this horrendous ordeal behind them. We want to take this opportunity to thank the witnesses for coming forward and assisting with the prosecution.

"Price was only ten years old when he committed the first of these despicable acts, but his young age does not excuse the severe and serious nature of these crimes. The CPS remains committed to prosecuting these types of offences through the court process and we hope this successful conviction encourages others to come forward."

Price was sentenced in July 2009 at Southwark Crown Court after a trial where he was found guilty of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, attempting to incite a person aged 14 to engage in sexual activity and attempting to cause a person aged 14 to watch a sexual act.