An 86-year-old man has been jailed for 16 years for sexually abusing a child in Wells over a number of years during the 1980s.

Michael Eckersley, now of Coldstream Close, Warrington, was found guilty of 14 offences following a trial that concluded in September. He was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court, sitting at Worle, on Tuesday, 4 November.

He was given nine years for the lead offence of oral rape, five years for seven further counts of indecent assault, and an additional two years for six counts of indecency with a child.

The court heard Eckersley groomed his victim with gifts in a bid to buy silence, and subjected him to years of abuse while living in Wells. The victim, who cannot be named, first reported the offences to another police force. The case was later passed to Avon and Somerset Police in 2021.

Eckersley was voluntarily interviewed in December 2021. The investigation faced delays due to the historic nature of the crimes, but officers were able to trace witnesses who recalled key details from the time.

A victim impact statement read in court described the long-term damage caused. The victim said he became withdrawn and self-harmed, and still struggles with the emotional toll decades later. He said the abuse "broke" him and left him angry for the life he could have had.

DC Ben Train, from Avon and Somerset Police, said Eckersley had committed a "complete betrayal of trust" and praised the "exceptional bravery" of the victim and witnesses who came forward.

He added that while the sentence cannot undo the damage caused, it reflects the seriousness of the offences and shows that justice is possible no matter how long ago the crimes occurred.

Support is available for survivors of abuse and police encourage anyone affected to come forward.

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