Jail for man who sexually abused boy over five-year period

A paedophile who gave a boy alcohol and an unknown substance in order to sexually abuse him has been jailed for nine years.

Nigel Backhurst targeted his victim – who is now an adult – between 1995 and 2000 while he was living in Coalville.

In 2022, the man reported the abuse to police, stating it had started when Backhurst encouraged him to look at pornographic images.

He said the abuse occurred on trips to Blackpool, Germany and the Netherlands and told detectives that on one occasion, before a trip to Munich, he had been given a substance that had left him feeling ‘out of it’. He said shortly afterwards Backhurst tried to abuse him and that there were other occasions where Backhurst – who is now 74 – had given him alcohol.

At a previous hearing at Leicester Crown Court, Backhurst, of Perth Avenue, Leicester pleaded guilty to twelve counts of gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14 years of age and six counts of indecent assault on boy under the age of 16 years.

Yesterday (Thursday 5 October) he was sentenced at the same court. In a statement which was read out by the prosecuting counsel, the victim described the impact Backhurst’s actions have had on him, stating:

“I was taken away from everything I knew and everyone I knew to be safe. I feel like my life’s potential has been taken away from me.”

Nigel Backhurst

Detective Constable Chris Sherwin, from the Child Abuse Investigation Unit’s non-recent team, was the officer in the case. He said: “Throughout our enquiries it was apparent that Backhurst had – and may still have – a sexual interest in young boys.

“His behaviour in this instance was predatory and manipulative. He was prepared to do whatever it took to fulfil his own sexual gratification.

“His victim has had to suffer the consequences of his sickening abuse for more than 30 years and I hope he can take some relief from the fact his abuser has finally been brought to justice. I also hope this provides a degree of closure and allows him to move on with his life.”

• There are several different agencies who are able to offer independent help and support to victims of sexual offences in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
• Further information on these services and details on who to contact if you have been a victim of a sexual offence can be found by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences