David Smith systematically sexually abused a young boy for a period of four years more than a decade ago and also exposed himself to another boy in an attempt to make him have sex with him. The 33-year-old spent λί 10,000 buying the first complainant’s silence as he showered him with gifts and took him to luxury shopping in Liverpool and Edinburgh. Smith categorically denied the charges throughout his Teesside Crown Court trial, but jurors found him guilty of all 11 charges. The court heard how he resigned as Middlesbrough councilor after being charged with the offenses. Former Middlesbrough consultant David Smith The first victim said in a police interview how the impact of the alleged abuse had a lasting impact on his life. He told officers: “Gradually it became more and more as it progressed until it basically harassed me,” he said. “But I gradually thought ‘this is wrong’, I knew then that he should not do this, but I did not say anything because I was ashamed.” Read more: Cleveland Police Chief sets out vision for the future While giving a statement, the victim said: “He used to buy me all kinds of things, in the past he should have easily spent 6,000 to 10,000 £. They were clothes, they were drugs, I smoked a lot of cannabis and he bought it for me. He was constantly buying it for me every day, at least λί 20 a day. “After I smoked it, I would go to bed and as soon as I woke up, it would touch me.” The court heard how the allegations came to light only in 2016 when the first victim, who can not be named for legal reasons, broke and told his mother and girlfriend. Due to a number of delays, including the relocation of the trial due to the Covid pandemic, Smith eventually had to face his accusers in court. The second victim, who also could not be named for legal reasons, was a teenager when Smith exposed himself and then asked him to touch his genitals. He said: “He flashed me and as a child I was shocked and did not know where to put myself. After a month and a half, he went to him to flash me and ask me to touch him. He reached the point where he was closest to me and insisted. more as I found out that it escapes “. Smith, from Rainsford Crescent in Middlesbrough, will be convicted next month after pleading guilty to 11 counts of inciting or engaging in sexual activity with a child. Speaking after the verdict, an NSPCC spokesman said: “David Smith used money and drugs to treat and abuse these boys for an extended period of time and is facing justice only now because of the extraordinary courage they have shown in speaking out against him. “We hope this horrific case will encourage anyone else in a similar position to seek support and help regardless of who the perpetrator is or when the offenses were committed.” Children can contact Childline at 0800 1111. Adults can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 8005000 or email [email protected] Stay up to date with all the latest news on our site or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also follow our exclusive Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here. For all the top news updates from across the region directly to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter here. Do you have a story for us? Contact the news office at [email protected] or call 01325 505054
