A FORMER Christchurch firefighter, jailed for raping a schoolboy, is being sued by his victim.

David Bryant was convicted of the historic sexual offence in 2013 and jailed for six years; a sentence deemed ‘unduly lenient’ by the Court of Appeal, who increased it to eight-and-a-half years.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard that retained firefighter Bryant, along with colleague Dennis Goodman, now deceased, had taken turns to attack their victim, Danny Day, who was 14 at the time, after taking him to play darts at Christchurch fire station in 1977.

Mr Day, who waived his right to anonymity, has now commenced civil proceedings against both Bryant and Dorset County Council, who were the firefighter’s employers at the time.

Papers submitted to the High Court show the claim is worth between £50,000 and £100,000.

Dino Nocivelli, of Bolt Burdon Kemp Solicitors in London, who is representing Mr Day, said: “At the current time, both Mr Bryant and Dorset County Council deny liability.

“Dorset County Council deny Bryant’s actions were conducted in the course of his employment as a retained firefighter. I understand that there was a recreation area at Christchurch Fire Station and this is where my client was assaulted.

“Mr Bryant denies his criminal conviction. I have been informed that Mr Bryant intends to appeal his criminal conviction based on alleged “new evidence”.”

Mr Nocivelli claimed Mr Bryant was out of time to appeal his conviction.

A Dorset County Council spokes-person said they are unable to comment on individual ongoing cases.