April 2017 Man sexually abused boy, 12, after grooming him online A man who sexually abused a 12-year-old boy after grooming him online has been jailed. Ben Flynn (08/03/1993) of Kings Walk, Droylsden has been sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court to 13 years in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life after pleading guilty to a catalogue of sexual offences. In March 2016, Flynn sent a friend request on Facebook to the young boy despite having never met or spoke to him. Once the request had been accepted Flynn bombarded the minor with private messages and, despite knowing the boy’s young age, enticed him to come round to his home with the offer of letting him play on his Playstation. He came round to the house where Flynn kissed him and touched him sexually before attempting to take him to his bedroom, but the boy refused. After this illicit meeting had taken place, Flynn’s daily messages to the boy became highly sexualised as he attempted to arrange further meets, even offering to pay for his bus fare as his desperation to satisfy his depravity increased. The pair met at the address on a further two occasions where other sexual offences against the child took place. The abuse came to light when the boy’s sister came across the messages and told their mother. When questioned on arrest, Flynn admitted to sending messages to his victim despite knowing his young age. A full list of offences that Ben Flynn pleaded guilty to are: 2x rape of boy under 13 1x attempt rape of boy under 13 3x sexual assaults of boy under 13 4x cause/incite a child to engage in sexual activity 2x cause a child to watch a sexual act 1x breach of sex offence prevention order