A FORMER teacher who groomed a boy for his own sexual gratification has been jailed.

Jonathan O’Brien admitted two counts of historic indecent assaults at Seaford College, West Sussex in the early 90s.

The victim contacted Sussex Police after a discussion about sexual abuse on social media about the subject of sexual abuse.

O’Brien had used their mutual interest in computers to groom the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, into sexual activity.

The 61-year-old pervert was jailed for two and a half years after admitting the offences at Guildford Crown Court on Friday.

He is already serving a 13-year sentence from Chichester Crown Court in 2014 after a police investigation into his conduct at schools in Worcestershire and Oxfordshire between 1980 and 1989.

Following his conviction, PC Yvonne Daddow, said: “This offending came to light when the victim contacted us for the first time in 2017.

“Having courageously come forward he supported our investigation and was ready to give evidence in court if necessary.

“It became clear that O’Brien had used an allegedly mutual interest in computers to in effect gradually ‘groom’ the boy into sexual activity, in O’Brien’s study at the school and his home in Oxfordshire.

“The boy kept the distressing experiences to himself for more than 20 years until an chance family discussion to some media coverage on the general subject of sexual offending triggered him into coming forward.

“This case is another example of the way in which we will always take such reports seriously, no matter how long ago they relate to, and will seek to help achieve justice for victims wherever possible.”

She said Seaford College, near Petworth, had helped the investigation led by the West Sussex Safeguarding Unit.

O’Brien, formerly of Bosham, West Sussex, was put on the sex offenders register for life after his convictions in 2014.

He is also subject to Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, which restricts his access and contact with children.

PC Daddow added: “If you have been subject to sexual offending, or know someone who has, you contact us at any time and arrange to talk in confidence to experienced investigators.”

For more information call 101 or visit: sussex.police.uk.