A VILE child sex offender has been locked up for six years for historic crimes against a young child.

Laurence Bourne was lambasted by Judge Samantha Cohen when being jailed after a jury convicted him of seven counts of indecent assault of a child.

Bourne abused his victim under the age of 13 between 1989 and 1992, and they bravely reported the crimes to police in April 2019.

The 68-year-old of Brackendale Court, Basildon, appeared via video link from prison today at Basildon Crown Court.

He showed very little emotion as the devastating victim impact statement was read to the court.

The victim said: “I have suffered on and off with depression. Since reporting it I have suffered severe anxiety.

“I had feelings of shame and anger and feel I needed to be relieved and have closure.” 

The victim said they have been through a range of emotions since the offences which have made them “distressed and unwell” and has had difficulty sleeping.

They added: “I feel unsafe, even in my own home.”

The offences all took place in Basildon, and Bourne was arrested in June 2019 as part of the investigation by Essex Police’s Quest team that handles sexual crimes.

Mitigating, Daniel O’Malley told the court many people have provided statements in support of Bourne, saying people close to him were “astounded” by the offending.

He said: “The man before the court now is not the man described to the jury for the offences.

“He came across as someone that has been for some time very willing to help those in need and very generous.”

Judge Cohen told Bourne: “Perhaps you mistook their silence for acquiescence. You were wrong.

“You are responsible for these offences.

“She found the strength to report it and then give evidence about the offences. She should be very proud of herself.”

The Judge jailed him for six years with an additional year on licence.

Det Con Emily Monk, from the Quest team, said: “I want praise the victim’s courage through this investigation.

"It takes a huge amount of bravery to report offences and then to have to re-live the ordeal through a trial.

"I hope the sentence will help them move forward.

"Bourne exploited his victim’s vulnerability with little regard for their welfare.

"The offences took place almost 30 years ago and he may have a different life now but he cannot escape his past and we have now brought him to justice.

"I hope this shows other victims of abuse that it is never too late to get justice.”