Paedophile jailed for four years after admitting historic offences of grooming

James Willis befriended his victim as the boy walked back from school.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said Willis, who was working in his garage in Arran Road, Stamford, groomed the boy giving him gifts and money.

The boy was later invited into the home of Willis where he was sexually abused.

Mr Howes said the offences had a significant effect on the victim and he still suffers flashbacks related to the incidents.

The matters came to light in 2015 when the victim told his GP and a family member. As a result police were contacted.

The court was told that Willis had previously been jailed in May 1999 for sexual offences against a 15 year old girl.

Willis ,49, formerly of Stamford, but now living in Telford, Shropshire, admitted two charges of indecent assault on a male person on dates between September 1988 to September 1990.

Judge Michael Heath, passing sentence on Friday, told him: “The boy trusted you and was entitled to think he would be safe in your company. It is clear from the victim that these offences have had a profound effect on him.

“The only sentences I can justify for these offences are custodial sentences.”

Mark Watson, defending, said that Willis , who was aged 21 at the time of the offences, has since shown genuine remorse by pleading guilty to the charges he faced.

He added: “Since 1999 he has led an unblemished life.

“In the period of almost 30 years that has passed since these offences he has worked consistently until last year when his ill-health got the better of him. He has increasingly poor health. He suffers from a myriad of complaints.”