A ‘MANIPULATIVE’ pensioner who sexually abused a boy in the bathroom of a house has been jailed.

Burnley Crown Court heard David Forrest, of Rawsthorne Avenue, Edenfield, abused the youngster during incidents that happened in the late 80s and early 90s.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was under the age of 10 when the abuse took place at a house in the Rossendale Valley.

Prosecuting, Frances McEntee, said during one incident the boy, who is now and adult, was taken into the bathroom by the 74-year-old after vomiting after eating a Pot Noodle he did not like.

It is while in the bathroom that the abuse is alleged to have taken place, the court heard.

Mr McEntee said: “This is a case of sexual abuse of children. It is a case of breech of trust.”

The prosecutor said Forrest ‘manipulated situations’ and took the child to the bathroom when there was no real need to do so with the intention of performing acts of sexual abuse and gross indecency upon them.

The court heard Forrest undressed in front of the child, before getting him to strip off.

He then forced the child to perform sexual acts upon him before sexually abusing his victim.

When asked by the police for his recollections of the abuse the victim said he ‘felt like he had no choice’ when he was asked the same question by investigating officers, the court heard.

Forrest pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecency with a child and two counts of indecent assault on a male person but was found guilty after a trial.

Forrest was jailed for 15 months and ordered to sign the sex offender's register for 10 years. No sexual harm prevention order was made.

The prosecution will not seek a retrial on allegations of indecency with a child and indecent assault involving a female complainant.

Speaking after the hearing, an NSPCC spokesman said: “Victims of child sexual abuse need to know they will be listened to and taken seriously, and this case shows that anyone affected can come forward and speak out. with confidence.

“Forrest’s victim has shown extraordinary courage in reporting the ordeal he suffered at his hands, which was often in situations deliberately engineered by his abuser for his own perverted gratification.

“Anyone who has been affected by sexual abuse can speak to the NSPCC Helpline in confidence on 0808 8005000. Young people can call Childline on 0800 1111.”