July 2021 Man who sexually abused boy from the age of four in the 1980s is locked up A child abuser who repeatedly sexually assaulted a little boy in the 1980s has been sentenced. Ricky Towson was convicted by a jury of 11 counts of abuse, which began when the child was aged between four and 12. Leicester Crown Court was told the victim suffered long lasting “mental torture” because of the assaults. Towson was himself aged 12 when he began molesting the boy and only stopped when the boy and his family moved out of the area. Towson, now aged 51, of Oxford Street, in Leicester city centre, denied the historic charges, but was found guilty of nine offences of indecently assaulting a child under 13 and two of indecency with a child under 13. Victoria Rose, prosecuting, told the court the victim had written a personal impact statement in which he said Towson had caused him to feel worthless, “like a nobody” and with “crippling self-doubt.” She said the victim described, during the trial, of having been abused on an almost weekly basis. Delays in bringing the case to court were “a living nightmare” for him, but when the defendant was found guilty the complainant felt “a sense of relief,” the court was told. Miss Rose said the victim now, with support from his family and partner, felt more positive and wanted to start his life afresh. Sentencing, Judge Ebrahim Mooncey said of the victim: “He says he turned to drink and that he was an emotional wreck at times. “He thinks he may have enjoyed a different life had it not been for you. “I have to deal with you for multiple offences over many years. Towson was jailed for seven years, of which he was told he will serve at least two thirds. He will also have to enlist on a sex offender register indefinitely.