April 2015

‘Already convicted’ paedophile who abused 17-year-old boy jailed for eight years

A mum has told how her teenage son was groomed and sexually assaulted by a man she believed to be her friend.

The mum spoke after the abuser, David Beardsley, was jailed for eight years last week, having been found guilty of two counts of sexual assault.

Beardsley exploited his friendship with the family to gain access to the 17-year-old boy, the victim’s mother said.

Beardsley carried out the attack while the boy was visiting his flat in Queens Road, Loughborough, last year.

The 41-year-old was convicted of two serious sexual assaults against the boy on the same date and was jailed for eight years following a Leicester Crown Court trial.

The boy’s mum, who cannot be named to protect her son’s identity, has decided to speak out about the case.

She said: “We had known him for years and I considered him to be a dear friend. He knew my son was introverted and vulnerable and had suffered bullying at school and he exploited that.

“He groomed all of us and I cannot trust anyone apart from my own family now.

“We thought that once the court case was over and he was in prison everything would all start to feel all right again, but everything still feels horrible, even though we all know he is going to be away for a number of years.”

Beardsley committed the assault while the teenager was staying at his Loughborough home while helping him do some work.

The mum added: “My son had been complaining of having no money for Christmas presents. He said ‘Mum always buys us presents but we never get her anything’.

“So Dave offered him some work and my son agreed. He abused him while he was away from us. We can never forgive him.”

Detective Constable Anita Rose said: “Throughout the investigation, Beardsley showed no remorse.

“We are pleased with the outcome of the court proceedings and hope it goes some way in helping the victim move on with his life.

“We also hope this result gives other victims the confidence to come forward and report incidents.

“We have specialist officers who can guide and support you through the process and put you in touch with other agencies who can help.”

May 2000

Drugs lure led boys into sex assaults

A BEDWORTH man was jailed for 12 months yesterday for indecently assaulting boys and supplying them with cannabis.

David Beardsley, aged 26, of Downing Crescent, Bedworth, had pleaded not guilty at Coventry Crown Court to six charges of indecent assault and four of supplying the drug between January, 1997, and December, 1999.

He was found guilty of three charges of indecent assault and three charges of supplying cannabis.

The jury failed to reach a verdict on three indecent assault charges and Judge Christopher Hodson ordered that they should lie on the file.

Beardsley was found not guilty of one charge of supplying cannabis.

He had pleaded guilty to allowing his premises to be used for the consumption of cannabis.

Adrian Keelang, prosecuting, told the court Beardsley used cannabis to lure the boys to his bedroom.

The defendant was known to his victims, five boys now aged between 12 and 20, by his nickname of Bookworm.

One 12-year-old boy, who gave evidence via a video link, described how he and a friend went to Beardsley’s house one Sunday last year.

He said Beardsley tried to indecently assault him, and when he realised what was happening he slapped Beardsley’s hand, stubbed a cigarette out on his wrist and let himself out of the bedroom, which was bolted on the inside.The court was shown a video of another 12-year-old being interviewed by police about the allegations.

The boy explained how his 19-year-old babysitter had gone to Beardsley’s house late at night for drugs and had taken him along.

He said the babysitter left him alone with Beardsley, who indecently assaulted him.

Beardsley said: “I am not a pervert. I do not supply children with drugs and try it on with them.”

The judge told Beardsley, who has previous convictions for the supply and possession of class B drugs, that he would be registered as a sex offender and would have to report to police for 10 years.

In mitigation, John Price, defending, told the court that Beardsley was known in the area as a very helpful and very friendly young man.

He said no lasting harm had come to the boys and he had no previous convictions for indecent assault.