A couple who groomed and raped a boy have been jailed for 38 years
Anthony Woodcock and David Bellamy used the young boy as their 'sexual plaything'
By Steve Brown
A couple who raped and groomed a young boy for sex have been jailed for 38 years.
Anthony Woodcock, 41, and David Bellamy, 46, used the underage boy as their ‘sexual plaything’ in abuse that lasted for several years, according to the Daily Mail.
The couple – who ran a village pantomime – groomed the young boy with tobacco, drink and drugs and abused him at their home in North Yorkshire.
Their victim, who is now a man, reportedly struggled to hold back tears as he told York Crown Court of the effects their crimes had on him.
He said he suffered from nightmares and had been taking anti-depressants since his mid-teens and struggled to form relationships.
During the six-day court case, he said: “My childhood memories are all tainted and damaged because of what they did to me.
“I feel my life has only just started. I am only just discovering what life should be. Their abuse will stay with my forever.”
Woodcock reportedly began grooming the boy which progressed to abusing him which would sometimes take place in a lay-by.
After a period, Bellamy joined in and abused the boy after getting him to massage him.
Judge Andrew Stubbs QC told the couple: “You used him as a sexual plaything for your sexual gratification.
“There was additional depravity as the two of you used a variety of sexual toys. This sexual abuse and exploitation extended of many years.”
Woodcock denied 10 charges of rape and two of sexual assault and Bellamy also denied six counts of rape, two of sexual assault and one of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
The jury convicted the couple of 21 sexual offences including 16 of rape. Woodcock was jailed for 20 years and Bellamy for 18.
They were both put of the sex offenders’ register for life and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order restricting their contact with children.