A VOLUNTEER with the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway has been jailed for sex offences against two teenagers who shared his enthusiasm for trains.

Leeds Crown Court heard today that James Laycock’s first victim was only 14 when they became friendly.

At that time Laycock was 16 and had been a volunteer at the railway since he was 13.

Sophie Drake, prosecuting, said the victim confided in Laycock one day at Haworth Station that he was confused about his sexuality.

“The defendant appeared pleased and suggested they walk along the route to Oxenhope.”

When they reached a shed, Laycock kissed the schoolboy. He did not know what to do and they continued the walk to an abandoned house where Laycock kissed him again and touched his bottom.

On a subsequent occasion when he saw the boy he asked him to go to the toilets with him and kissed him again before pulling down the boy’s trousers, removing his own overalls and pushing against him but others came in disturbing them.

The complainant did not report what had happened to the police and when the offences subsequently came to the police attention years later, the boy did not reveal the full picture of offences against him, said Miss Drake. But Laycock admitted further activities happened between them including having performed oral sex on each other.

By then Laycock, 20, of North Cliffe Drive, Thornton, Bradford, had committed further offences involving a 15-year-old boy. They contacted each other over Facebook and discussed sexual matters.

He was 15 and the defendant was 19 when Laycock sent him an indecent photo of himself. The messages they exchanged suggested sexual acts that Laycock would like to perform on him although nothing occurred.

Miss Drake suggested the offences had involved an element of grooming of the two boys.

Elroy Claxton, representing Laycock, said although he was bright and intelligent he was naïve when it came to worldly matters.

He had been candid with the police and suggested the offences involved an element of naivety and sexual awakening.

Urging the judge not to jail him, Mr Claxton said Laycock’s life had been devastated by his conviction. He was a special constable and his ambition had been to join the police eventually but that had gone as had all his voluntary work.

Laycock admitted five charges of causing or inciting the first victim to engage in sexual activity, inciting the second boy to engage in sexual activity and causing him to watch a sexual act.

Judge Rodney Jameson QC jailed him for a total of four years.

Judge Jameson said it seemed Laycock was aware of the effect on his own family of his conviction but did not appear to understand the consequences for his victims.