Bognor Regis man jailed for sexual offence

Edward Fane, 57, of Upper Bognor Road, Bognor Regis, had pleaded guilty to the offence at an earlier hearing and was sentenced at Chichester Crown Court.

The court heard that a 17-year-old boy, who was vulnerable due to a learning disability, was playing on his skateboard in the Bognor area, when Fane spoke to him and invited him back to his home on the pretence of helping him move a piece of furniture as he had a bad back.

He offered the victim £10 and then took him to his home, which was several miles away from where he was playing.

The boy used the toilet and moved the cabinet in Fane’s bedroom a couple of inches.

It was then that the offence occurred.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “The boy was very frightened and ran out of the house.

“Fane took him back to where he found him and gave him £10 telling him not to tell his mother.

“The offence came to light when he was at school having a lesson on appropriate touching.

“The matter was reported to the police in February, 2011.”

Sentencing, Judge Claudia Ackner told Fane he had exploited and manipulated a very vulnerable young man.

As well as his prisone sentence, Fane was ordered to sign the sexual offenders register and made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order.

After the case, detective constable Kim Clinch said: “This was a extremely vulnerable victim who, as the judge said, Fane preyed on and exploited.

“The victim was brave in coming forward and we began an investigation as soon as it was reported to us.”