JOSEPH HORNEY, BLOXWICH PENSIONER, JAILED FOR HISTORIC SEX OFFENCES ON YOUNG BOY

In May 2014, a pensioner from Bloxwich was sentenced to three years in prison for a series of historic sexual offences against a young boy.

Eighty-two-year-old Joseph Horney, of Glastonbury Crescent, Bloxwich, was convicted of grooming and multiple sex attacks committed more than 30 years earlier. The court heard that Horney had engaged in grooming his victim over a period of more than two years, from October 1981 to October 1984, and carried out a succession of disturbing sexual assaults.

During the court hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Michael Challinor stated, "It was clear that you groomed your young victim. Your victim has carried the burden of your abuse for many years, and you are directly responsible for that."

Prosecutor Miss Samantha Forsyth explained that Horney's actions involved a course of conduct that greatly impacted the victim's life, and that Horney was only arrested after he finally disclosed what had happened.

Judge Challinor emphasized the gravity of the case, describing it as "very significant." Despite Horney's medical issues, the judge underlined that the sentence served both as punishment and a warning to others. "I accept prison for you will be life-limiting and very damaging," he said. "I must impose a sentence that reflects the public's abhorrence of such offences against children. It often takes years for these crimes to come to light, but the police will always catch up with offenders."

In addition to the custodial sentence, Horney was ordered to register as a Sex Offender for life and was banned from ever working with children again.