Twenty-one years after he was sexually assaulted, a man finally plucked up courage to report the offences to police. The victim was just a young boy in Wisbech when the assaults took place over a four-year period from 1993.
It took Cambridgeshire police another four years to investigate but last Friday justice caught up with John Lester, now 71.
At Peterborough Crown Court Lester was jailed for six years.
The court heard of sexual assaults on the boy in Wisbech between 1993 and 1997.
Lester, 71, was working at a newsagent in the town when he assaulted the boy on multiple occasions.
He befriended the boy by giving him gifts including sweets, fireworks, and money, before sexually assaulting him.
On more than one occasion Lester assaulted the boy in his car, having driven to remote rural locations.
The victim reported what happened to police in 2019.
Lester, previously of Shrewsbury Avenue, Peterborough, refused to be interviewed about the offences, but later pleaded guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting a boy under 16.
Offender jailed for six years
On Friday (8 December) at Peterborough Crown Court he was jailed for six years.
Detective Sergeant Louis Scott said: “Lester groomed the victim in this case by giving him gifts and money, before sexually assaulting him.
“I’d like to commend the victim for his courage in reporting what happened to him. This case shows that time does not prevent us from bringing people to justice.
“I’d encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to seek help – irrespective of how long ago the assault took place.”
Anyone who is concerned someone may have been convicted of a sex offence, and could be posing a risk to someone, can apply for disclosure information through Sarah’s Law.
