'The pain will only end when I take my last breath': Abuse survivor confronts remorseless paedophile almost 40 years later

Trevor Hill, who was teenager himself at the time, sexually abused the young boy numerous times in the mid 1980s over a period of months.

Multiple charges were brought against Hill, who is now 53, but he denied the allegations.

He was found guilty by a jury of all charges following a trial in December.

Held on remand since the trial, he appeared at Leeds Crown Court this morning where he was sentenced to eight years' jail.

Prosecutor Richard Woolfall read an impact statement written by the victim to the court, saying his life had been ruined by Hill, and had contemplated suicide over the years.

Passing sentence, Judge Neil Clark told Hill: "It's clear you had an absolutely devastating effect on him.

"It's affected him to this day. You have ruined for him all memories of his childhood, and he continues to suffer severe psychological effects."

The court was told that Hill targeted the young boy and would make him undress and perform sex acts.

In 2020, he was eventually charged with five counts including gross indecency, indecent assault and buggery, which is now classed as rape.

The victim, who is now in his 40s, had initially wanted to read out his own impact statement in court, but was unable to compose himself.

Reading the statement on his behalf, Mr Woolfall said that anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had all been caused by the horrific experiences he suffered at the hands of Hill.

He said he would often see the public warning advert for AIDS in the 1980s and was terrified he would have contracted the deadly disease.

He said: "I have never felt alive. I breathe but I do not live. I survive.

"I feel exhausted as a victim and a survivor.

"At what point did you think it was right to sexually abuse a young kid?

"Why did you prey on a child? Why did you choose me?

"The pain for me will only end when I have taken my last breath.

"I'm constantly thinking about my abuse. You try and get on with your life, and get on with fighting the war that rages inside your mind."

Hill, a father-of-two and pallet worker of Burntwood Crescent, South Kirkby, has previous convictions for poaching and driving offences.

Defending, Daniel Penman, said he could not say that Hill agreed with the jury's verdict, or had shown any kind of remorse, but said there was no evidence of other victims of abuse.

Hill will serve at least two-thirds of the eight-year sentence behind bars before being considered for release on licence.

He will also sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Nicola Hewitt of the Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit said: “I would like to thank the victim for his bravery in coming forward and for giving evidence in court.

“This meant having to re-visit very painful memories that, for a long time, he had tried to supress.

“The victim’s disclosure was described as extremely harrowing and I am so proud of him for coming forward and speaking out.

“Hill has got the sentence that he deserves. At no point did he show any remorse for his actions and, he selfishly made the victim relive the ordeal again in court.

“This case shows that, despite the passage of time, people like Hill can be brought to justice and I would urge anyone who has been in a similar position to come forward, to report the matter to us."