Child abuser could be sued

CHILD sex abuser Derek Cable could be sued for thousands of pounds by his victims following his conviction for sexual offences against boys, it emerged today.

The 63-year-old, of Edgecombe Road, Stowmarket, is today beginning a four-year sentence after being found guilty of ten counts of indecent assault and eight counts of indecency against five boys.

But, speaking today, one of Cable's five victims said it is "very likely" a civil prosecution could follow.

The man, now in his 40s, said: "We haven't done anything yet but it's very likely we will.

"Definitely three of us want to. To be honest, the first I thought about it was when the police officer suggested it yesterday but we'll be taking legal advice."

The Suffolk man added: "I had a job to get off to sleep after yesterday. The phone was ringing and the adrenaline was running but it was still a better night's sleep than I've had for quite a while."

Cries of joy were heard from the public gallery as the jury returned guilty verdicts after more than four hours of deliberation at Norwich Crown Court yesterday.

The former Stowmarket band leader and middle school teacher showed no emotion as he stood in the dock.

Meanwhile, shouts of "yes" were heard as some of his victims and their families embraced at the back of the court.

Judge Paul Downes said it was clear from the "overwhelming evidence" in the eight-day trial that Cable had plied his victims for his sexual fulfilment in the 1970s and 1980s.

"Cigarettes, alcohol and, in one case, cash, were used to groom your victims for your own particular purpose, he said.

"This is aggravated by the fact that parents trusted you with their children. They expected their children to be looked after properly, but you took advantage of their trust and I regard that as a very serious matter."

Cable was sentenced to four years for each offence of indecent assault and 18 months for each offence of gross indecency, all to run concurrently.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for the rest of his life and banned from working with children.

Dc Jim Gidney, who led the investigation, said: "It was a protracted and emotional inquiry for everyone involved but I'm delighted with the verdict.

"My heart goes out to the victims and their families."

Prosecution witness and former band member Antony Arnold, of Norwich, also spoke of his joy at the result.

It was after meeting a fellow victim through the "Friends Reunited" website that the pair went to the police and Cable was arrested, in 2002.

The three other victims, after hearing of the arrest, then also decided to come forward.

Mr Arnold, now 35, said: "I feel like I've done such an incredibly brilliant thing by bringing these people together.

"It was incredible when they read out the verdicts. I've never been so happy in my life."

During the trial he told the court he had been forced to walk around naked when he stayed at Cable's Rattlesden home in the early 1980s while his parents visited Australia.

He added: "It will never be put behind me. The memory will still be there, but it will be less painful because I will know that something has been done about it."