A PENSIONER from Leamington has been warned to expect a prison sentence after he finally admitted sexually abusing a teenage boy more than 35 years ago.
Peter Brown had originally denied committing a number of sexual offences against the boy in the early 1980s.
But on the day of his trial at Warwick Crown Court, the 71-year-old, of Shuckburgh Grove, changed his pleas to guilty on three charges of indecent assault.
Those pleas were accepted by prosecutor Graeme Simpson, who said the abuse had taken place over a few weeks either side of the boy’s 15th birthday.
Conceding there had been ‘a significant degree of long-term damage to the complainant,’ Simon Hunka, defending, asked for the case to be adjourned for a pre-sentence report.
He pointed out: “It is getting on for 40 years since these events occurred. This is a 71-year-old individual who faces going to prison for a long period.”
Judge Anthony Potter questioned whether a report was necessary, observing that the maximum sentence at the time for indecent assault on a boy was ten years.
And he commented that that was ‘not far removed’ from the 14-year maximum sentence for an offence of sexual activity with a child under current legislation.
Following further discussions, Judge Potter agreed to adjourn for a report, and Brown was granted bail.
But the judge warned him: “You have pleaded guilty to serious offences and should expect an immediate sentence of imprisonment.”
Pensioner Peter Brown has been told to expect a prison sentence.
