JAILED FOR 18 YEARS AFTER BEING FOUND GUILTY OF MULTIPLE OFFENCES OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.
03/09/2025 An Isle of Wight man has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of multiple offences of child sexual abuse.Michael Norman Smith, aged 61, formerly of Willow Way in Sandown was found guilty following a trial at Isle of Wight Crown Court on Friday 1 August of: - Three counts of rape of a child under 13.
- Sexual assault of a child under 13 by digital penetration.
- Two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child under 13 - Three counts of causing/inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity - Two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child aged 13-15 The offences were perpetrated against a boy between 1 May 2004 and 31 March 2010 on the Isle of Wight.
Court heard how Smith's offending occurred when he was in his late 30s and early 40s.
His victim, now in his 30s himself, was aged eight when it started.
The abuse continued until he was 14.
Smith, a former dinner man at the old Sandham Middle School, Sandown, gained his victim's trust, luring the child and his friends to his house on a number of occasions, and offering snacks and computer games.
This soon turned into conversations about sex and trips to his bedroom to watch porn.
Smith eventually went on to show him his penis and would play 'wrestling pillows' with him.
Over the years, this escalated to repeated instances of oral sex and rape, court heard.
The victim, who felt unable to tell anyone about the abuse until he was 21, read out an impact statement in court.
As he did not have a relationship with his own dad growing up, he said he saw Smith as a "father figure", but now realises he was "preyed upon" for Smith's "own perverse gain." "He saw me as an object for sexual gratification", he said.
As a result of the "appalling" abuse, he has developed trust issues, is now on anti-depressants, and has made attempts to take his own life.
"I wish I had never met Michael.
How different my life might have been if I hadn't", he said.
Smith has already served two prison terms for separate sex abuse offences against other children from around the same period.
Judge Daniel Sawyer said Smith's offending followed on "one from the other" and has come to light bit by bit.
Judge Sawyer said Smith refused to accept his grooming was deliberate and, as such, he rejects any submissions that he is remorseful and reformed.
Smith was handed an 18 year prison sentence.
---------------------- A MAN has been jailed for sexually abusing a child over a number of years on the Isle of Wight.Michael Norman Smith, 58, sexually assaulted the boy between 1997 and 2003, beginning when the child was under the age of ten.
During a trial at Isle of Wight Crown Court, jurors heard how Smith, who lived at Willow Way in Sandown at the time of the offences, would often have children over to his address and would allow them to play computer games.Smith would also take them to do activities such as swimming or going to the cinema.Smith was subsequently remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on April 8 where he was jailed for six and a half years.
Detective Sergeant Katy Lee, who led the investigation, stated: “Smith is a danger to children, and he groomed and manipulated the child in this case for his own perverse gratification.
The boy has had to deal with the impact of this abuse for his entire childhood and into adult life.
I want to commend him for now finding the courage to come forward and face his abuser.
His courage has ensured that a predator is now behind bars where he belongs, and Smith will pay the price for these horrible crimes.” Police encourage anyone affected by sexual abuse to contact them on 101, and there are support services available for victims.
