A victim of a serial sex offender jailed for 21 years for offences against nine people has been awarded £77,000 damages after his criminal injuries case was reopened more than 25 years later.

The man, now 42, was sexually abused between the ages of 13 and 15 by Colin Waterfield, of Norwich, who was sent to prison aged 70 in 2017 having being found guilty of rape and sex assaults on eight children and an adult.

Norwich Crown Court heard how the pensioner had been investigated in the 1990s for the sexual abuse of boys, but no charges were brought. The case was reopened in 2013.

Following Waterfield’s conviction, the victim was advised by police to seek a medical reopening of his case with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), which had previously awarded him just £1,000 damages in 1996, when his mother had made an application.

Eastern Daily Press: Colin Waterfield was found guilty after a trial at Norwich Crown CourtColin Waterfield was found guilty after a trial at Norwich Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Now the Norwich man has been awarded a further £77,000 in damages based on being classed in the severe category of sexual abuse crimes.

His continuing struggles with severe anxiety and depression, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which have left him unable to work for close to 10 years, were taken into consideration.

The man, who cannot be named, also continues to suffer from flashbacks and has had suicidal thoughts, and for a periods of time has been left homeless and dependent on alcohol and drugs.

Now living with his partner, the man - who has become a father - said: "Nothing can ever take away what happened to me, but this compensation award will make a big difference for me and my family as everything has been a struggle.

“It will help us pay the bills, heat the home and take some of the pressure off us, pressure which all stems from the continuing impact of what happened to me.

“It obviously can’t change the past, but it is some recognition of the impact on my life, and some form of closure too.”

Medical reopening of the case allowed for new evidence to be considered, including a report from a clinical psychologist who highlighted persistent and disabling symptoms linked to the offences against him.

Rebecca Pick, a specialist in making claims for compensation to the CICA who worked on representations on the man's behalf by Hudgell Solicitors, said: "This award is far from an end for him, it never is for anyone who has suffered such horrific abuse.

"However, he has moved to try to have a fresh start with his partner and child, and we hope this helps give him that.”