Jailed: Oswestry man raped youth and sexually assaulted young boy

Alan Robert Hancock, of Upper Church Street, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court for sentence when social and psychiatric reports were considered.

Judge Peter Barrie said the rape victim was already vulnerable and was significantly younger than Hancock and had been distressed by the experience.

He said there were severe psychological consequences for the victim which was an aggravating feature.

In addition, a sexual assault involving a young boy was a clear abuse of trust.

Hancock was jailed for a total of five years and six months for the offences.

He has also been made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and must register as a sex offender for an indefinite period.

Miss Sharonjit Bahia, prosecuting, said that Hancock had denied the rape allegation and a trial started in November last year, but he had changed his plea to guilty before the victim, who was over 16, was called to give evidence.

She said that the second offence involving the young boy happened before the rape victim had made a complaint to the police.

Miss Bahia said Hancock had initially denied assaulting the boy but later admitted it.

Miss Saleema Mahmood, for Hancock, said her client had suffered an 'horrific childhood' and suffered post traumatic stress disorder which had led to him drinking to excess.

She said he was remorseful about his actions which had been 'impulsive and shorted lived' and had taken the opportunity, but had not set out to commit the offences.