A PAEDOPHILE who sexually abused a boy has been jailed for four years.

Burnley Crown Court heard Jonathan Keith Richardson left his victim suicidal and impacted his ability to show affection.

In a harrowing victim impact statement, the complainant said for years he had managed to fool people into thinking he was happy on the outside when in fact he was broken on the inside.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, also said he felt like he had been given a life sentence as a result of Richardson’s abuse.

Richardson, who worked as a carer, pleaded guilty to seven separate charges of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Judge Sara Dodd ordered Richardson sign the sex offenders register for life and banned him from having any contact with all children under the age of 16 after hearing the defendant was sexually still attracted to young boys and girls.

Prosecuting, Emma Kehoe told the court how Richardson would kiss his victim on the lips, sometimes inserting his tongue in the boy’s mouth. The victim estimated the longest kiss lasted around five minutes.

On other occasions 47-year-old Richardson, of Olympia Street, Burnley, would sexually abuse his victim by inappropriately touching him bother under and over his clothing and fondling him.

Ms Kehoe said Richardson would go home and pleasure himself after the assaults.

Having told his partner what had happened to him as a child, the complainant then got in contact with the Truth Project after seeing an advert for the organisation on television.

Ms Kehoe said it was through them and their support that the victim felt strong enough to go to the police.

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When he was first arrested Richardson denied he had abused his victim but he voluntarily attended a police station later the same month for a second interview and admitted his guilt.

In his victim impact statement, the complainant said as soon as the abuse started he was frozen by fear of Richardson. He said while it was happening he hoped someone would witness it so it would come to a stop. And each time it ended he would convince himself the abuse was over, only for it to happen again. The victim said he is now receiving counselling, with his depression so bad it leaves him unable to get out of bed some days.

He added: “On the day I held my child for the first time one of te first things I thought was of me being sexually abused. To this day it upsets me greatly.”

Defending, Ellen Shaw said her client had shown genuine remorse and recognised the impact his offending has had on his victim,.

She said: “The loss of liberty will mean the loss of his employment. He does a job which is in the caring capacity.”

Survivors of child sexual abuse who would like to share their experiences in writing, over the phone or in person can get in touch with the Inquiry's Truth Project. Visit www.truthproject.org.uk or email share@iicsa.org.uk