Michael Hole

A child sex abuser who bought cigarettes and alcohol for a 13-year-old boy before sexually abusing him has been jailed for 12 years.

Michael Hole, 39, of Newport, continued the abuse despite the child suffering an injury, Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard.

More than a decade later, the survivor reported him to police — exposing offending that had left him struggling with severe depression, anxiety and difficulty trusting others.

Hole first encountered the boy and his friends while driving past them. He agreed to buy them alcohol and cigarettes, then invited the group into his home.

After the others left, Hole sexually abused the 13-year-old.

Prosecutor Paul Hewitt told the court that the boy was injured, but Hole continued.

Further meetings followed. Hole later sent a message telling the child to return when he was 16, suggesting the abuse would then be legal.

When police arrested Hole years later, he denied the offences and claimed the boy had been over 16.

Officers seized his phone and discovered 30 indecent images of an 11-year-old boy, comprising seven Category B images and 23 Category C images.

Hole was found guilty of three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a boy and two counts of possessing indecent images.

The survivor’s statement laid bare the lasting damage. He described carrying the consequences into adulthood, struggling to feel safe and fearing that people would exploit him.

He told the court: “What happened to me does not define me and is not my fault.”

The mother of the second victim described the distress caused to her son and their family. She said the boy had become deeply withdrawn and afraid to leave home.

Judge Celia Hughes condemned his exploitation of a vulnerable child, saying he should have recognised the boy’s vulnerability and acted responsibly.

Alongside the 12-year prison sentence, Hole received a 15-year restraining order and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

He will remain subject to sex offender notification requirements indefinitely.

Source: UK Database on Facebook