A FIREFIGHTER honoured for his many years of service to the community has been found guilty of raping a schoolboy almost 40 years ago.

Retired David Bryant, 63, was convicted of buggery on a boy aged between 12 and 15 by a at Bournemouth Crown Court today.

During the trial the court heard that Bryant and a fellow retained firefighter, Dennis Goodman, who is now deceased, had befriended the victim and invited him to play darts with them at Christchurch Fire Station on three occasions during the 1970s.

On the third occasion, the victim, who was then aged around 14, was held down over a table by the pair, one of whom said “you’ll like this”.

They then took it in turns to rape him while having sex with each other.

The victim told the court he was crying out and screaming during the incident, but was told by one of the men “this is what you have come here for”.

Afterwards, he claimed, Mr Goodman threw a £5 note at him and asked if he wanted to come back.

He said he had not told his family after the incident as he didn’t want to cause any problems, and had only confided in a friend. His decision to go to the police came after a visit to the area two years ago, and was partly inspired by the Jimmy Savile revelations.

Speaking to the Daily Echo after the verdict, the victim said justice had been done.

“I have had 37 years of pain and now I can get some closure,” he said.

“I put my trust in the police and the Crown Prosecution Service and justice was served. But if it hadn’t gone that way at least I would have tried.

“All I ever wanted was for him to say sorry.

“I hope this success does inspire other people to come forward, there are people who will listen and can help.

“And these sorts of people need to be brought to justice.”

The trial jury took seven hours to reach a majority verdict. Judge Samuel Wiggs, released Bryant, of Grove Road East, Christchurch, on conditional bail and adjourned the case until January 24 next year for sentencing.

The defendant was working on a voluntary basis for Dorset Fire and Rescue when the allegation was made, and he was immediately suspended from the role. He has since been dismissed.

Speaking after the verdict, area commander Tim Spring said: “As with other public sector organisations, we have a raft of checks and safeguards for our staff and volunteers including the introduction of DBS checks that it started almost ten years ago.

“These aim to protect our staff and the vulnerable people that they come into contact with in a variety of environments.”