'Dangerous offender' jailed for raping young boy

A man who was found guilty of multiple sexual offences, including the rape of an underage boy, has been jailed for 16 years.

Christopher Cullen, 46, from Horncastle, was found guilty of nine sexual charges, including raping a child aged under 13, following a trial in September.

Cullen, of Bells Yard Close, sexually assaulted his victim on a number of occasions, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

In an impact statement, Cullen's victim said he had suffered horrendous problems with addiction since the assaults.

The abuse led to him losing weight, making attempts on his life and put a strain on his relationships, the court heard.

"I just could not move on with my life," the victim added.

The court was told Cullen had been convicted in 2012 for sexual activity with a girl aged under 16.

Recorder Simon King described Cullen as a "dangerous offender".

Passing sentence he said: "The reality is your victim's life will never fully recover from what you did to him."

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