Rapist was just seven years old when he started sexually abusing little boy.

A 24-year-old man, Elliot Troy, was sentenced today for multiple sexual offenses against a child. He was convicted of three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Troy, who sobbed in court, had denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty after a trial. The victim, now an adult, had the courage to tell his father in 2017 that he had been abused by Troy as a child. The abuse began when the victim was only three or four years old, and Troy was six or seven.

Judge David Aubrey, QC, stated that while Troy was below the age of criminal responsibility at the time of the initial abuse, he was not being sentenced for those acts. However, the judge emphasized that the early exposure to inappropriate behavior by Troy had created a sense of "normality" for the victim, making him more vulnerable to further abuse.

The court heard that Troy, then aged between 11 and 15, engaged in sexual acts with the victim, who was between nine and 12 years old. This escalated to rape when Troy was 15 and the victim was 12. The judge acknowledged that while there may have been some "sexual experimentation" between the pair, there was a significant age gap, and the victim did not consent to the abuse.

The victim's impact statement highlighted the devastating effects of the abuse. He suffers from chronic nightmares, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm. He feels guilt and shame, and is unable to maintain relationships due to the emotional trauma he experienced.

Judge Aubrey acknowledged the severity of the offenses and the profound impact they had on the victim. He stated that had Troy been an adult at the time of the crimes, he would have been sentenced to at least 12 years in prison. However, considering Troy's age at the time of the offenses, the delay in the case, and prison conditions during the pandemic, he was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison.

Troy must also comply with a restraining order and register as a sex offender for life.