PERVERT JAILED OVER HISTORIC SEX ABUSE CLAIMED TO HAVE NEVER MET HIS YOUNG VICTIM

52-year-old convicted of grooming boy

PAEODPHILE Johnathan Mellor has been jailed for six years after being convicted of sexually abusing a young boy more than 30 years ago.

The 52-year-old was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault on a male person and four of indecency with a child following a trial at Stoke-on-trent Crown Court.

Mellor, of May Place, Fenton, was aged between 15 and 18 when most of the offending took place.

He was interviewed by police in 2018 when the victim, now an adult, came forward to report the abuse he experienced as a child.

Mellor had already been placed on the child sex offender register in 2000, following previous convictions for indecent assault on a male, and indecency with a child. Those offences took place after the events of the latest case.

During the trial Mellor claimed he had never met the victim, and maintained his innocence even after being convicted by the jury.

Ani Ali, representing Mellor, told the court that as the defendant still denied the offences there was not a lot he could say in mitigation, other than that his risk of reoffending was low. Mr Ali said: “He acknowledges that he has been found guilty of eight counts, and he understands that he faces a significant custodial sentence.

“These offences occured a long time ago, and since his previous convictions for similar matters he has lived an industrious life, busy at work, and there have been no further concerns.”

In addition to the prison sentence, Mellor will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Recorder Julian Taylor told Mellor: “This was a clear case of grooming, in which you progressed from innocent behaviour to sexually deviant behaviour. This went on for a number of years. You knew what you were doing.

“The bulk of the offending was committed when you were aged between 15 and 18, with at least one incident taking place when you were 19. Most of the offending took place when you were in the process of growing up yourself. That’s no excuse, but it is something I’m taking into account.”

If you have been affected by sexual abuse, contact Staffordshire Police on Facebook, Twitter, or call 101.