Former Global B.C. reporter Ron Bencze has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a boy over a period of seven years.

Bencze, 45, appeared Thursday morning in B.C. Provincial Court in Surrey. The assaults took place between March 15, 2003 and Dec. 31, 2010.

The victim’s mother went to police last January after finding sexual text messages from Bencze — using his work phone — on her 14-year-old son’s cellphone.

Bencze’s relationship with the boy began when the victim was around nine years old and the abuse included masturbation and oral sex.

The contact occurred at Bencze’s home.

The victim’s mother was in tears as the assaults were described for the judge.

Crown prosecutor Jennifer Lopes is seeking a custodial sentence of two to three years.

A victim impact statement from the victim , who is now 16 years old and cannot be identified because of a publication ban, said he felt confused by Bencze’s advances.

“I am relieved that it has stopped,” he wrote.

He said the assaults have had an emotional impact — he often feels frustrated, he has lost trust and motivation.

“I feel that I have missed out on a childhood that was meant for me, not the tainted one I have experienced,” he said.

The teen’s mother wrote in her statement that she and her husband feel guilty they didn’t know what was happening.

“[My son] has lost his innocence,” she wrote. “This has been devastating to us.”

She said the Bencze family has tried to discredit her son in the community, causing her family to withdraw.

“It did happen and it isn’t a lie,” she said.

Defence lawyer Richard Peck has asked for an 18- to 24-month conditional sentence followed by up to three years of probation.

A forensic psychologist’s report states that Bencze is emotionally needy and immature, which contributed to him committing the assaults.

The report also says Bencze has been overwhelmed by guilt, remorse and shame and has committed to continuing his rehabilitation so he does not offend again. He is not considered a pedophile and is a low risk to reoffend.

“He has a craving to be liked and respected. He knows he is now reviled and it’s a devastating blow,” Peck said.

Peck read out an apology written by Bencze, who said he plans to do all he can to redeem himself.

“I’m not here looking for sympathy. I’m not here to give excuses. There’s no one else to blame. I’m not here to ask for forgiveness. I can only do what’s right, and that’s take responsibility for what I’ve done,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s anything that I can say to alleviate the anger and sense of betrayal, but simply, I’m sorry. I truly regret what I’ve done. I have no one to blame but myself.”

Bencze was initially charged with three counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual interference and two counts of invitation to sexual touching involving three people under the age of 16. He also faces a charge of breaching his bail conditions.

The remaining charges will be stayed by the Crown.

Criminal Justice Branch spokesman Neil MacKenzie said outside court that the charge to which Bencze pleaded guilty constituted the “most significant” allegations.

“Crown’s concluded that it was appropriate to proceed on that count and not proceed on the remaining counts against Mr. Bencze,” MacKenzie said.

Last April Bencze was fired from Global, where he had been employed since 2004.

The judge has reserved his decision for at least a month.