July 2015 Convicted child abuser claimed 12-year-old ‘had an affair’ with him A child abuser claimed a 12-year-old ‘had an affair’ with him has been jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of rape Gary Ayres said his relationship with the child had been consensual even though he was more than twice her age when the abuse happened eight years ago. She told her mother at the time but only went to the police in 2013 and gave a video recorded interview detailing how Ayres abused her over a period of several months. Ayres went to the police when he learned of her allegations but gave them an account which claimed it had been a consensual relationship which was like an affair between adults. Ayres, aged 43, of Grenville Avenue, Torquay, was found guilty of five counts of rape by a jury at Exeter Crown Court and one of inciting sexual activity with a child and jailed for a total of 15 years and six months by Judge Douglas Field. He told him:”You had intercourse with the complainant when she was 12 and oral sex when she was not much older and continued to have sex with her. “When matters came to a head you immediately tried to minimise your participation in these appalling events by giving an account that it was a consensual affair and it had only happened twice. “I am quite satisfied that you knew the game was up and that is why you took legal advice and went to the police to give your account. You were trying to put yourself in a better position, knowing it was a very serious matter. “I hope the complainant is going to get some closure as a result of the conclusion of these proceedings and be able to put these matters behind her.” Mr Richard Crabb, prosecuting, said the offences took place when Ayres was living in Torbay in 2007 and 2008. The girl told her mother at the time but the case was only taken to the police many years later. Ayres told the jury there had only been two instances of sexual activity and both had been consensual.