A FORMER foster carer has been jailed for sexual offences against young boys.


Desmond Ward of Ambrose Place, Worthing, carried out a total of 16 offences against four boys between 1983 and 1994.


The 60-year-old was found guilty of one count of buggery, three counts of indecency with a child and 12 counts of indecent assault.


He was a foster carer for West Sussex County Council from 1989 until 1994.


During this time, an allegation of sexual offences against a boy who had been in his care was investigated, and Ward faced two similar allegations in 1998 and 2004 which were also investigated.


Detective Constable Beccy Hopkins of Worthing Investigations said: "One foster-child was in foster placement with Ward between 1993 and 1994.


"The abuse began almost as soon as his placement began and only ended when he bravely told a social worker what was happening to him.


"Another of the victims, not a foster-child, was aged just three when the abuse began while Ward was babysitting him.


"A pattern of abuse and grooming then continued over a number of years until the victim was 15, in 1994.


"Only some ten years later did he first feel able to speak up about what had happened to him.


"Another victim was on a temporary foster placement between 1990 and 1991 with Desmond Ward, when he was repeatedly sexually assaulted.


"That abuse was first reported in 1998, several years after the placement ended.


"The fourth victim, not a foster child, was staying for the weekend with Ward sometime between 1988 and 1994 when Ward sexually assaulted him. This was reported to us for the first time in 2016."


At the time, there was not enough evidence to prosecute Ward, but he was removed from the fostering register in 1994.


In 2015, when another of his former foster children made an allegation against him, detectives looked back at the previous three cases and contacted the people involved.


They noticed a clear pattern in his behaviour at a time when he was living at another address in Worthing.


DC Hopkins said: "The victims are now adults and came to court to give evidence during the trials.


"The convictions are testament to their incredible bravery in giving evidence against Desmond Ward after such a long time.


"He was an opportunist and predatory sex offender who put himself in a position of trust in order to access vulnerable young boys, two of whom were foster-children.


"We will always follow up such allegations, regardless of how long ago they are said to have happened."


As a result of this investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised prosecution for all the allegations that had been made.


Ward was sentenced to a 15-year prison sentence at Lewes Crown Court on December 21, having been convicted in two separate trials.


He will now be a registered sex offender for life.


DC Hopkins said: "If anything like this has happened to you, or to anyone you know, do not suffer in silence. You can contact us on 101 or via 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, and arrange to talk in confidence to experienced investigators."