BARRY ROSAMOND SHOCKS BECKENHAM AND LOOE WITH DECADES-OLD CHILD SEX ABUSE CONVICTION

In a case that has spanned over three decades, Barry Rosamond, aged 50, formerly of Beckenham in Kent and now residing at Great Tree Farm in Looe, has been sentenced to three years in prison for the sexual abuse of a nine-year-old boy. The abuse took place between 1978 and 1980, when Rosamond was a teenager living in Beckenham, and the victim was just a young child.

Rosamond’s criminal actions only came to light after the victim, now 44, encountered him by chance five years ago in the area near his current residence. This unexpected reunion prompted the victim to come forward with his allegations, which ultimately led to Rosamond’s conviction at Croydon Crown Court.

The court was informed that during the late 1970s, Rosamond, then in his mid-teens, had lured the young boy, who lived nearby, to his home with the promise of playing games such as Scalextric. The victim recounted that Rosamond had encouraged him to visit alone, saying, “Come around on your own to play, don’t bring the others.”

Once at Rosamond’s residence, the abuse began. The court heard that Rosamond used a Kama Sutra-style calendar, which depicted various sexual positions, as a guide for his inappropriate acts. The victim described how Rosamond initially encouraged him to touch him intimately, promising to give him £5 for the first encounter. However, he only received £3 in change afterward. The victim explained, “I went round there and he abused me many times. I used to see him as a father-figure. Maybe that’s why I never said anything.”

He further revealed the profound impact the abuse had on his mental health, stating, “I’ve managed to keep my head up, but it’s been difficult. He did this to me and I crumbled mentally and I do not want to carry it anymore. I’m sick and tired of it. It’s draining. He abused me many times. You bury this in alcohol, in drugs to block these images out of your head.”

Rosamond, who pleaded not guilty, denied the allegations, claiming that the accusations were fabricated to explain his own personal struggles. He told the court, “That’s rubbish, absolute rubbish.” He also reflected on his own confusion at the time, saying, “At that age you don’t know what is going on. You think you’re just mucking around, but later I felt dirty, so dirty and foolish.”

The court was shown evidence that Rosamond would produce a wall calendar featuring silhouetted figures in various sexual poses, which he would then copy with the young boy. The victim recounted that five years ago, he saw Rosamond visiting the area and decided to take action. He described how Rosamond smiled at him, and he felt compelled to leave a note on Rosamond’s camper van windscreen that read, “I don’t want to see you again.”

Following the guilty verdicts on four counts of indecent assault, one count of attempted buggery, and one count of indecency with a child, the judge ordered Rosamond to be registered on the sex offenders register indefinitely and imposed a lifetime ban from working with children. The sentencing was adjourned until October 31, with Rosamond granted bail until that date.

As the court proceedings concluded, the victim expressed his relief and the long road to justice. His words underscored the lasting trauma inflicted by Rosamond’s actions, and the court’s decision aims to prevent him from harming others in the future.