A BRIDLINGTON man has been jailed for nine years after admitting sexually abusing a young boy.

Anthony Ronald Vowles, 31, of Midway Avenue in the resort, was sentenced at York Crown Court yesterday, after pleading guilty to eight counts of sexual activity with a boy under the age of 13 and four counts of inciting sexual activity with a child.

All the offences were committed against the same boy, who was 12 at the time, between July 2013 and January 2014, in the Filey area. Vowles was arrested in Bridlington in January after the victim told his parents about his ordeal.

Detective Constable Nigel Pepper, of Scarborough Protecting Vulnerable Person’s Unit, said: “Anthony Vowles preyed on an extremely vulnerable young boy and used him for his own sexual gratification on a number of occasions and may have continued doing so if the victim had not found the courage to come forward.

“Thankfully Vowles has now been brought to justice for his actions. I am pleased that the court have recognised the gravity of his offending and the impact it has had on the victim in this case, and have imposed an appropriate sentence.”

Anyone who has suffered a sexual offence can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, where trained officers can treat each case with sensitivity and discretion.