A
“dangerous” peadophile who preyed on an autisitic teenage boy he
forced to give him oral sex in a leisure centre changing room has
been locked-up for eight years.
John
Bartholomew, 50, (pictured) of Church Road, Crystal Palace ordered
the vulnerable 15 year-old into a cubicle and once alone the
frightened youth was forced to perform sex acts.
He
was convicted at Croydon Crown Court of rape and sexual assault at
the Walnuts Leisure Centre, Orpington on October 9, last year.
The
victim was asked by Bartholomew, who he recognised from previous
visits to the venue, to follow him into his cubicle – and fearing
for his safety, the victim agreed.
Once
inside the cubicle Bartholomew sexually assaulted the boy before
performing oral sex on him.
Bartholomew
then forced the victim to perform oral sex on him.
The
victim managed to escape from the changing room and alerted staff who
called police.
Officers
attended and Bartholomew was arrested as he left the leisure centre.
Detective
Constable Ann Downes from Sapphire, part of the Met's Sexual
Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, led the
investigation.
She
said: "Bartholomew preyed on this victim's vulnerability,
manipulating the situation to isolate him and attack him.
"Bartholomew
was found guilty by a jury and I welcome this conviction. I hope it
serves as a warning to others who may be tempted to pursue children
in this way."
Detective
Inspector Faye Churchyard, also of Sapphire, added:
"Bartholomew
is a dangerous man.
“It
is likely that he stalked his victim over a period of time and then
struck when he thought he would go undetected.
"The
victim has found the courage to see his attacker convicted and I
commend him and his family who have shown immense strength through
what must be an incredibly difficult time.
"Bartholomew
is now in prison and I would appeal to anybody else affected by this
man's behaviour to come forward and speak to police - specially
trained officers and partner agencies will support you."
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