Hove pensioner jailed for sex attacks on four boys

A pensioner from Hove has been jailed for nine years for sex attacks on four teenage boys more than 30 years ago.

Michael James Green, 71, of Aldrington Close, Hove, also known as Mike Green, was sentenced by Judge Anthony Niblett at Hove Crown Court on Friday (28 February).

Green was found guilty by a jury on Tuesday 28 January after a trial lasting two and a half weeks at the court in Hove.

He was convicted of four out of five counts of sexual offences against boys, with the remaining count ordered to lie on the court file.

He was jailed for eight years for buggery and a year each for three indecent assaults. The final two year-long sentences were ordered to be served concurrently with the first year-long sentence, making nine years in total.

Michael Green

The four charges involved four boys who were 13 to 15 years old when they were attacked.

The case was brought after an investigation by Brighton child protection detectives. The Sussex Police team started investigating Green after they were told in 2011 that he had sexually assaulted a boy in the early 1980s.

Three further victims forward during the investigation. Green had met them all while running junior cycle speedway clubs.

Detective Constable Dawn Robertson said: “There is no current evidence of any other offending by Green but, as with all such cases, if anyone has new information they can contact Sussex Police via 101 at any time.

“Although every case is assessed on its individual merits, we will always follow up allegations of sexual abuse of children regardless of how long ago they are said to have happened.

“Anyone who wants to report alleged offending of this type can always contact us at any time via 101 and arrange to talk in confidence to specially trained detectives.”

The first victim to come forward, who was at court today to hear the sentencing, said: “The impact that this man has had on me and on my life has been like a life sentence and today I can find some closure as justice has been done.

“The support from the police and their belief in my case has been invaluable and I would strongly encourage anyone who has abused to come forward. You will be taken seriously.”