A pensioner who posed as a doctor as he sexually assaulted boys across south London for more than 40 years has sentenced.

Nigel Clayton, 73, of Sutton Common Road, Sutton appeared at Croydon Crown Court on Monday, 6 September where he was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment for 31 counts of sexual assault, rape and possessing indecent images.

He had been convicted at the same court on Friday, 21 May following a trial.

Clayton used a variety of tactics, claiming to be a doctor, saying that he knew about child development, or that the boys he targeted could be models, as well as using debts and resorting to physical force.

There were seven identified victims targeted by Clayton between 1976 and 2017, all male, and one of the victims was abused by the pensioner for more than 30 years.

The abuse took place at various locations in south London, including one incident at a funeral. Clayton also used the office of a car garage he purported to jointly own to carry out his assaults, even setting up a bed inside.

The victims were all boys or young adults when they were abused. In the majority of cases they had no relationship with their biological father, which Clayton used to his advantage.

Met Police Detective Constable Candice Burley called Clayton a "predatory and manipulative individual" who took his victims under his control.

In 2016, one of the victims bravely contacted police to report the abuse they had been subjected to. An investigation was launched by detectives from the South Area Safeguarding Unit. As a result of enquiries, the remaining seven victims were identified.

Clayton was arrested in February 2020 and was subsequently charged with various offences.

Detective Constable Burley continued: “Clayton is a predatory and manipulative individual who specifically targeted victims he knew to be vulnerable; engineering situations which afforded him close contact with them in order to carry out his abuse.

“One victim was under his control for more than 30 years, suffering regular sexual assaults. The long term effect of such prolonged abuse is difficult to comprehend.

“I extend my utmost respect and thanks to all of the victims for their courage in speaking up and ensuring Clayton was brought to justice for his heinous crimes.

“It is of course possible there are further victims out there and I would urge anyone with information to come forward. You will be supported by specially trained officers who, as this conviction shows, are committed to the investigation of sexual offences and ensuring those responsible are held accountable.”