TWO men who sexually abused a boy and filmed their crimes face "significant" jail sentences, a court heard.

Neil William Gamble and David George Bradbury, both of Pigot Street, Newtown, St Helens appeared at Liverpool Crown Court.

They had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to multiple charges of rape and sexual assault and of taking indecent images.

The court heard that Gamble, 65, committed most of the physical abuse while his partner Bradbury videoed the "appalling" assaults on the boy.

Prosecuting, John Williams said the abuse was a case of "classic grooming" and took place for almost two years from October 2018 starting when the boy was aged six.

Police executed a search warrant at the defendants' address on September 25 last year where they came across an electronic device which had footage of the abuse on it.

Mr Williams said: "Examination of a device belonging to Bradbury showed pictures of appalling sexual abuse.

"He (the boy) was allowed to visit the defendants' home. It is clear from the examination of Bradbury's iPad that they had filmed the abuse, acted as a team on an equal footing with Gamble committing the sexual acts and Bradbury filming and encouraging Gamble.

"He was six when the abuse started, the abuse carried on for some two years."

The court heard that Bradbury, 55, was also involved in physical abuse in one of the videos.

Mr Williams said the filming of the abuse by the men was "no doubt for their own sexual gratification".

He described the abuse was a "classic grooming situation".

"What is clear is that both defendants were using things like toys and sweets and playing children's programmes to the boy in order to make him feel comfortable."

The court heard that the defendants had sent messages to the boy's mother asking to see him.

"There is a clear indication that the two men are grooming and gave the young boy's mother money to have access to her son," added Mr Williams.

He read an account from the boy's father in which he says his son "has not been able to disclose anything to him".

According to Mr Williams, the victim's father said: 'I was with him when he had to go to Alder Hey Hospital as a result of the sexual offences committed on him, this was beyond awful for him."

The father's statement added: ''His education has been massively affected, I have no doubt that he will need counselling in the future for the trauma to him and that he is yet to disclose'."

The court heard that both defendants will face "significant" custodial sentences for their abuse of the boy.

Defending Gamble, James Smith asked for a one-third reduction of any prison sentence for his guilty pleas and said his client is "considered to be within a severe learning disability range and is significantly intellectually compromised".

He added there was recognition that there wasn't "a full understanding in relation to the charges" he faces but said there was "an evolving cognizance" over the "impact of the acts".

He added Gamble was of "hitherto good character and" and has a complex medical history including with COPD, depression and memory loss.

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Defending Bradbury, Paul Becker also asked for credit for the guilty pleas and said his client is "emotionally fragile and has a history of anxiety and depression" and suffers from poor health, including sciatica.

He added Bradbury is "remorseful and understands what he has done and understands the impact which the abuse had to the victim".

Judge Rachel Smith told both defendants: "You will remain in custody until sentencing which will take place on March 11.

"You are both aware immediate custody will follow."