A FORMER judo coach has been jailed for 12 years for the sexual abuse of a boy in 2002, which only came to light in the last two years.

Wayne Burnham, 50, who went on to serve a three-year prison sentence, imposed in 2003 for sexual offences against other boys in County Durham, has remained at liberty living in Kent since his release on licence in 2005.

But, Durham Crown Court heard his latest victim only plucked up courage to inform police in 2015, having previously only told his mother.

Following Burnham’s arrest in Kent, in June 2015, he denied the allegations.

But, having pleaded not guilty to rape and indecent assault, he was convicted of both offences by a jury following a four-day trial at the court earlier this month.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, said as with his other victims, the boy was given cider and cannabis by Burnham, who also showed him male pornography.

The boy, who described the pain the offences caused him, was told not to report what took place and, for many years, heeded Burnham’s threat of violence.

But the court heard it caused him much anguish and, for a while went off the rails, abusing drink and drugs, and self-harming.

Susan Hirst, mitigating, said Burnham has been living a “law abiding life” in Erith, Kent, since his release from his previous sentence, during which he sought help to address his offending.

Jailing him, Judge Deborah Sherwin said his victim, “must have been terrified”, and appears to have struggled to come to terms with the ordeal, having suffered deep psychological harm.

Burnham must register as a sex offender for life and was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, to run, “until further order”.