Two men have been found guilty of raping a 13-year-old boy in 2005.

John Cox and Jamie Cross were convicted by a jury of two counts each of rape. The victim, who endured years of torment after the abuse, eventually gathered enough evidence to convict the pair. One of the perpetrators even admitted to the sexual activity in a Facebook message, according to LeicestershireLive.

In a personal impact statement, the victim expressed his anger and the lasting effects of the abuse on his life. He described how the trauma affected his education, causing him to go off the rails for several years, and led to recurring nightmares.

Despite both defendants denying the rapes, Cross had previously referred to sexual activity having taken place in text conversations with the victim, which was used as evidence in court.

Sentencing the pair to substantial jail terms, Judge Robert Brown highlighted the gross breach of trust and the vulnerability of the 13-year-old victim at the time.

The court heard that both defendants had previous convictions relating to child pornography and were given suspended sentences in 2017. Despite their history, both men showed no remorse and maintained their innocence throughout the trial.

The victim, who bravely came forward to report the abuse, stated that the court process had been successful and encouraged others in similar situations to do the same.

Cox and Cross were each sentenced to 12 years in prison and placed on lifetime sexual harm prevention orders. They will also have to register as sex offenders for life and are permanently barred from working with children.