A PAEDOPHILE sexually abused a 13-year-old boy after luring him to his Halesowen flat, a court heard.

Trevor Chapman is this week starting an 18-year prison sentence after a jury found him guilty of abusing four boys over several years during the 1990s.

During the three week trial at Wolverhampton crown Court Chapman, aged 52, accused his victims of concocting abuse claims to try and get their hands on his partner’s inheritance.

But unemployed Chapman, of Brook Crescent, Stourbridge, was found guilty of 28 offences In addition to his jail sentence, he was placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for life.

The case came to court following a lengthy investigation by detectives from West Midlands Police’s Public Protection Unit who arrested Chapman in January 2013.

Days earlier one of the victims, now in his 30s, had told police he had been repeatedly sexually assaulted by Chapman, whom he had met through a friend when around 13 years old.

The abuse took place at Chapman’s flat on in Halesowen − subsequent inquiries found other young boys would go to drink and smoke at premises linked to Chapman across Birmingham.

The jury heard how Chapman would ply the youngsters - all aged between 10 and 16 at the time - with alcohol, cigarettes and cash in exchange for sex.

Detective Constable Jen Rose after wards: "This was a challenging and complex case," said investigating officer, Detective Constable Jen Rose.

"The crimes happened two decades ago so we had to use all of our skills and the force’s resources to find the men who used to visit Chapman’s homes when they were boys.”

She added: "This has been a heavy burden for the boys, Chapman groomed and abused over the years, to bear alone.

"Their tormentor’s crimes have had a significant impact on their lives with some being left unable to form meaningful relationships because of the abuse they suffered.

"I am pleased that after almost two decades they were finally ready to break their silence and tell us what happened to them all those years ago.”