A paedophile from Coulsdon who befriended a young boy’s parents before sexually abusing their son has been jailed.

Alan Starling, 47, of Chaldon Way, was sentenced to prison after he pleaded guilty to 12 counts of child abuse at Croydon Crown Court.

The court heard how he befriended the 13-year-old’s parents “many years ago” and groomed their child “over a long period of time”.

Police were alerted in July last year to text messages which had been found on a spare family phone the boy had been using, suggesting sexual abuse had taken place.

The victim confirmed to officers that Starling had sexually abused him but was told by the paedophile not to tell anyone.

Starling was arrested that same day, and later charged with rape, after giving a no comment interview but submitting a written statement in which he denied the allegations.

The 47-year-old pleaded guilty to:

- Three counts of sexual activity with a child,

- Three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in a sexual activity,

- Two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in a sexual activity,

- Two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in penetrative activity, and

- Two counts of penetrative activity with a child.

He was jailed for nine-and-a-half years and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life on February 13.

Detective Constable Charlie Lourenco, investigating officer of South West Safeguarding Unit, said: “The victim showed incredible courage to come forward and this conviction has ensured his voice was heard and action has been taken.

“The lengthy custodial sentence will serve to protect the public and help give encouragement to victims of similar crimes to come forward.”