A man has been jailed for a string of historic sex offences against a young boy which left his victim “frightened and confused”.

Gary Woolgar, 51, committed the offences on the child and preyed on him over the space of four years, including when he was under 13 years old.

Woolgar, a heating engineer from Lancing, denied the sexual offences but was found guilty at trial.

He also admitted to being in possession of cocaine and cannabis.

Sussex Police Detective Constable Katherine Wilkins said: “This was a complex investigation that involved working closely with partner agencies.

“Woolgar preyed on the boy, and the abuse has had an ongoing impact upon him.

“I would like to thank the victim who showed great courage to come forward and report what happened to him, and to all the witnesses who provided evidence to ensure this offender was convicted.

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“This case demonstrates that we take reports of sexual offences seriously and throughout we provided support to the victim with specially-trained officers.

“We are determined to get justice for victims of sexual abuse.”

Woolgar was found guilty of multiple counts of engaging in penetrative and non-penetrative sexual activity with a boy as well as two counts of sexual activity with a child and sexual assault by touching a boy under 13.

The crimes took place between 2013 and 2017.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, described how the abuse left him frightened and confused and continues to impact his anxiety and stress.

At a hearing on August 3, Woolgar was jailed for 15 years. He will also be a registered sex offender for life and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed.