THE mother of a schoolboy who was drugged and sexually assaulted by a bus driver is urging other victims to find the courage to come forward.

Phillip Doughty, 53, who was found with 6,000 indecent images of children, worked as a bus driver for 30 years in Hull and the East Riding and targeted the boy on his school bus.

Now his mother says she will "never forgive" Doughty and is urging other victims to speak out.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons to protect the identity of her son, said: "I almost lost my son due to this man's actions and I will never forgive him for that.

"I am happy that my son found the strength and courage to speak out but am saddened by the fact that he had to suffer this horrific ordeal.

"I would urge any other sufferers to find the confidence to speak out against their abusers. The first step is always the hardest but there is help and support available as we have found out.

"I would like to thank everyone for assisting us in bringing this man to justice and know that the streets are safer with him behind bars. I now just hope that the sentence he gets reflects the pain he has caused to my family."

Doughty has been told to expect a "lengthy" prison sentence after he was found unanimously guilty of two sexual assaults by a jury at Hull Crown Court.

He invited the boy to his home where he drugged him and abused him and threatened to kill the youngster if he told anyone.

Doughty is due to be sentenced next month.

Anyone who has been affected by abuse can call Humberside Police on 0845 6060222 or ChildLine on 0800 1111.