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12/08/2015
Man Jailed For 'Systematically' Abusing Young Boy
A 57-year-old man has been jailed for eight years for "systematically" abusing a young boy during the 1970s.
Kevin Blunden was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on 7 August after a jury convicted him of five counts of gross indecency with a child.
Blunden started the abuse when his victim was aged around nine years old.
Police report that the abuse began when Blunden found the child after he had run away from home. It is reported that he told the child that his parents would not punish him if he let him smack him instead. He struck the child with a belt and then sexually abused him.
Blunden lived close to the victim and after grooming him went on to commit further crimes over a two-year period between 1975 and 1977, sometimes as often as twice a week.
In 2013, the victim approached Kent Police, reporting he had recently seen his abuser.
Officers executed a warrant at Blunden's home address in Hunters Way, Tunbridge Wells and arrested him on suspicion of historic sexual abuse offences.
Blunden pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a jury.
He was sentenced to eight years in prison and placed on the sex offenders' register for life.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable David Turner of Kent Police's public protection unit, said: "Blunden befriended and then repeatedly abused a young boy for a period spanning two years, possibly more.
"When arrested, he denied all the allegations which has resulted in the victim having to also endure a court trial.
"I would like to thank and commend the victim for his extreme bravery and courage in speaking out.
"I hope this demonstrates that when sexual offences are reported to police, no matter how long ago they may have occurred, we will always investigate them and we will do everything in our power to put these people in front of the courts to ensure justice is done for their vile crimes."
(MH/JP)
Kevin Blunden was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on 7 August after a jury convicted him of five counts of gross indecency with a child.
Blunden started the abuse when his victim was aged around nine years old.
Police report that the abuse began when Blunden found the child after he had run away from home. It is reported that he told the child that his parents would not punish him if he let him smack him instead. He struck the child with a belt and then sexually abused him.
Blunden lived close to the victim and after grooming him went on to commit further crimes over a two-year period between 1975 and 1977, sometimes as often as twice a week.
In 2013, the victim approached Kent Police, reporting he had recently seen his abuser.
Officers executed a warrant at Blunden's home address in Hunters Way, Tunbridge Wells and arrested him on suspicion of historic sexual abuse offences.
Blunden pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a jury.
He was sentenced to eight years in prison and placed on the sex offenders' register for life.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable David Turner of Kent Police's public protection unit, said: "Blunden befriended and then repeatedly abused a young boy for a period spanning two years, possibly more.
"When arrested, he denied all the allegations which has resulted in the victim having to also endure a court trial.
"I would like to thank and commend the victim for his extreme bravery and courage in speaking out.
"I hope this demonstrates that when sexual offences are reported to police, no matter how long ago they may have occurred, we will always investigate them and we will do everything in our power to put these people in front of the courts to ensure justice is done for their vile crimes."
(MH/JP)
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