A COVENTRY paedophile has been jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a young boy.
Steven Harrison, 44, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Friday (January 18).
He was convicted of sexual assault and breaching a sexual harm prevention order – charges he denied.
Harrison, who had a previous conviction for sexually assaulting a child, was arrested after the Sex Offenders Management Unit at West Midlands Police discovered images on his phone.
An investigation was launched and the abuse of the young boy was uncovered.
The trial heard Harrison had groomed the family of the victim to befriend them and earn their trust, which allowed him to spend time with the victim alone.
Harrison was arrested days before an arranged trip with the boy.
Additionally the court heard how the offender had carried out a campaign of intimidation and threats to prevent the victim from disclosing the abuse to his family and friends.
Harrison told the boy something bad would happen and made him think he, the victim, would face prison if anyone found out.
Bedfordshire Police detective constable Claire Long said: “Harrison cannot be described as anything other than a predatory paedophile.
“He carefully and skilfully entered the family’s life as a trusted friend with only one goal, to abuse his victim.
“This long custodial sentence has removed him from the community, so he no longer poses a danger to anyone.
“No amount of jail time can reverse what has happened, but hopefully it will bring a sense of justice to the victim and his family.”
To report concerns around child sexual abuse, call police on 101.
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