Predatory abuser of young boy jailed for 15 years

THE owner of a North Yorkshire guest house has been jailed for 15 years after a judge branded him a “clear and present danger” to young boys.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said the word grooming was wholly inappropriate for Simon Maufe’s treatment of his victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

The judge said the 45-year-old, who ran the Beck Hall guest house in Malham, had showered the under-age boy with gifts and money while subjecting the youngster to repeated sexual abuse.

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“It may well be that anyone reviewing this case will be more than content to agree with me that as a case of evil and malicious corruption and grooming of a child it is difficult sometimes to imagine worse,” added Judge Durham Hall.

Maufe, who comes from a well-known family in Malham, pleaded guilty to a series of offences including sexual assault and sexual activity with a child.

The judge told the married father-of-three that his victim had been dreadfully damaged by his treatment, but he said Maufe’s guilty pleas had spared the youngster the final humiliating ordeal of giving evidence in court.

Prosecutor Simon Kealey outlined details of Maufe’s repeated offending which included abuse of the boy using a sex toy.

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When Maufe, who had no previous convictions, was arrested in March last year officers searched his home and his Land Rover Discovery vehicle.

Mr Kealey said a shoebox containing the sex aid, pornographic films and books had been found.

Inquiries confirmed that the boy’s DNA profile matched samples taken from the sex aid and his DNA was also found when the vehicle was examined.

During his interviews Maufe denied committing any offences and made no comment when the allegations of abuse were put to him.

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Although Judge Durham Hall was able to read a victim statement provided by the boy’s mother, Mr Kealey asked for its contents to be kept private.

Judge Durham Hall said the sentence on Maufe was meant to punish him and to send a message to the victim and his family that no judge in this land would “fail to do his duty in the face of such evil”.

The judge decided that it was not necessary to impose an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment for public protection, but he said the licence period on his sentence would be extended for an additional five years.

Maufe will also be subject to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order and must register as a sex offender with the police for the rest of his life.

He is also banned from working with children.

Barrister Robin Frieze, for Maufe, said his client had expressed real and insightful remorse for his offending.