RICHARD Thorne has been jailed for six-and-a-half years for raping a boy aged nine.
The now 33-year-old Thorne, of Greenways, Lydney, committed the offence aged 17 in the Forest of Dean town in the late 90s.
Thorne appeared at Gloucester Crown Court, as the jury found him guilty of six offences of indecency with a child and one of rape.
The court heard how Thorne used to watch pornography in the presence of the child in the first instance, but then began to perform sexual acts in front of him.
It was then revealed Thorne began involving the boy in the sex acts before later raping him.
The charges were dated between September 1, 1997 and July 31, 1999. During that time, attacks would happen once every fortnight.
Judge William Hart said: "We have heard that the victim told you he didn't like it when the offence was committed and the incidents stopped from then, and never happened again.
"Sadly, if he had been a bit older and mature he might have said something before all of the offences happened and none of this would have taken place, but unfortunately he was just nine-years-old.
"Mr Thorne was never in trouble before these incidents and has not been in trouble since, and from what I read in statements, he had turned into a hard-working and responsible man.
"He is clearly very different now to the man he was then. What begins as sexual experimentation sometimes develops into something more serious.
"If it was experimentation in the beginning, it soon developed into abuse."
Thorne denied that there was any truth in the allegations and said he had not interfered with the boy in any way.
But the jury found him guilty on all charges.
The court heard how Thorne now has two children of his own and is in a long-term relationship, although his partner is in ill health. The public gallery was filled with family members who came to the sentencing.
Mr Hart sentenced Thorne to six-and-a-half years in prison, which after taking into account his personal situation at home, was "the least that could be given", he said.
