December 2014 Childhood sex assault victim comes face to face with his abuser in court as offender is jailed for six and half years A man who was repeatedly sexually abused as a child wept in court today as he faced his abuser after keeping silent for 25 years. The voice of the victim, who is now 39, crackled with emotion as he told Leicester Crown Court how the abuse by teacher Ronald Eyre wrecked his life. The man read out his own victim impact statement before Eyre, 73, a former teacher at Catmose College, in Oakham, Rutland, was jailed for six and a half years. Eyres, of Manchester Way, Grantham, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to five charges of indecent assault on two boys under the age of 14 in the 1980s. The victim, who was the subject of three of the charges, said: “This man raped the innocence of my childhood. “Over 25 years ago I was the victim of sexual abuse and remainedsilent for a quarter of a century. “I finally broke my silence this year.” He said he went to the police after being inspired by a quote from American poet Maya Angelou. He said: “It said: ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you feel.’ Prosecutor Sarah Knight said that Eyre targeted both victims and invited them back, on separate occasions, to his house in Oakham for extra tuition One victim was abused twice but the man who read out his victim impact statement was repeatedly abused over two years. That victim also told the court: “I’m fortunate to have received excellent support from trained professionals and it has liberated me from my suffering. “I knew I had to face my abuse and my abuser head on.” He said he had suffered post traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks and even considered suicide. He said: “I do not hate my abuser. I pity him for what he has done.” Judge Simon Hammond told the victim: “I want to pay tribute to your courage and dignity. “Your victim impact statement has been very moving and very well put together.” Jonathon Dee, defending, said his client was a man of previous good character who felt ashamed and disgusted by what he had done. He said: “When he was arrested he was very frank with the police about his thoughts and urges.” Judge Simon Hammond told Eyre that what he had done was wicked. He told him: “You targeted, groomed and exploited these vulnerable young boys for your own sexual gratification.” Eyre is to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life. After the case, detective constable Jamie Carr, the investigating officer, said: “Eyre abused his position of trust and used his victims’ young ages and vulnerability to carry out his crimes. “This abuse has had an overwhelming effect on them. Both victims showed tremendous courage in coming forward and reporting this man. “Hopefully they and their families are able to start new chapters in their lives knowing that Eyre is finally held accountable for his actions.” After the case, the victim who spoke in court, released the following statement: “Today marks the beginning of the end of an ordeal that has cast a dark shadow over my life for over 25 years. “Ronald Eyre posed as a trusted authority figure – a senior teacher – in Rutland for many years. But he grossly abused that trust in committing these abhorrent crimes in this case against me and another victim. “I am saddened that he feigned innocence to the end in relation to several offences; but relieved that justice has prevailed. I am satisfied that the sentence passed today by the courts is appropriate. “Sexual abuse strips you of personal dignity and causes deep long term psychological suffering. “I urge anyone who has, or is now suffering abuse, to inform the police straightaway. Don’t suffer in silence as I did for 25 years. It doesn’t matter how long ago the abuse took place. Leicestershire Police’s handling of my case has been excellent, and it has taken only nine months to progress from my reporting the abuse to securing convictions at Crown Court. “I want to thank everyone so much who has helped me get through all of this; without them could not have begun to rebuild. I am now able to start a new life chapter with my family.” The other victim released the following statement: “I would like to thank Leicestershire Police for their initial contact with me regarding these non-recent matters and also thank the other victim for bringing to police attention the activities of Eyre. “Eyre actively targeted and groomed me for sexual exploitation due to my incumbent family difficulties and took advantage of a young adult further to his position of trust. This has led to a substantial confusion regarding my personal sexual orientation which was only subsequently assisted through personal contacts at my local ‘Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Association’ (LGBT), psychiatrists and person friends who helped and assisted me to ‘come-to-terms’ with what has transpired in my early childhood and teenage years. “The abuse I suffered from Eyre is a significant contributory factor to the long-term depression I have suffered culminating in stays in hospital and attempts to harm myself. I have also issues pertaining to trust of other adults and find it difficult to function in social events and trusting fellow adults – leading to a detrimental impact upon my career. “To me – he remains a high risk offender as he targeted vulnerable people and engaged in committing sexual offences over many years. “I would actively encourage any other victims to come forward and raise complaints to the Police. I would humbly encourage parents and other people in positions of trust to talk with family members regarding his activity. “I would wish to publically thank and acknowledge the assistance of DC Jamie Carr, Sammy McIlroy and other excellent members of Leicestershire Police in addition to the Crown Prosecution Service who have been of outstanding professional conduct during the course of this investigation.”