THE mum of a disabled 15-year-old boy who was abused by a sexual predator has spoken of her trauma and grief.

The woman said that her family is struggling to come to terms with the attack by Andrew Evans, 36, formerly of Church Road, Crowborough - who was jailed after pleading guilty to arranging, facilitating and engaging in sexual activity with the boy.

The offences came to light last year, when police received a report that Evans met the vulnerable boy at an isolated car park in East Grinstead. He then committed a series of sexual offences against the boy.

Evans, who worked in the childcare sector across Sussex, Kent and Surrey for 20 years, sought to continue the relationship, but the boy blocked contact and reported what had happened to his school and parents.

His mum said: “I live daily with the thought of what my son has been through and constantly worry about keeping him safe.

“My son has disabilities and is vulnerable and so it’s important to keep him safe in respect of day-to-day life, and then for this to happen is devastating.

“As a family, we are only now trying to come to terms with this and the upset to his grandparents and extended family is massive.

“We cannot break the news to his younger brother as it is just too upsetting.”

She also said she has been forced to take time away from work as she has been unable to cope with stress and that she “cannot begin to truly articulate how upset I am”.

While on police bail after attacking the child, Evans continued to use a website profile to advertise as a babysitter. Officers then discovered he had committed sexual offences against a seven-year-old girl while acting as a babysitter at her home in Uckfield.

Evans pleaded guilty to seven offences against both children and was sentenced at Hove Crown Court to six years and eight months in prison.

Officers have urged parents who believe their children may have been sexually assaulted to contact police.

Detective Constable Michelle Hayes said: “I have seen the impact this has had on the two families almost on a daily basis and I have worked to build their trust over the last six months.

“Evans used his position of trust to target these children, devious in his behaviour, and finally there is justice for everyone involved.”

The mother of the boy said that she hopes that Evans “should not be released for a very long time, and then should not be allowed near children or the vulnerable, whatever their age.”