Exclusive: Suspect in murder of schoolboy Terry Floyd charged with sexual abuse of different boy

Raymond Kenneth Jones - the man described by police as a "prime suspect" in the disappearance and murder of Avoca schoolboy Terry Floyd - has been charged over alleged sexual abuse of a different boy living in the same small Victorian town.

Jones was quizzed over the well-known cold case multiple times but never charged over Terry Floyd's murder, and has always maintained his innocence.

9NEWS understands yesterday detectives from the Ballarat Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team charged Jones, aged in his 60s, in relation to the alleged sexual assault of a man in the late 60s or early 70s.

The alleged victim has spoken exclusively to 9NEWS, saying police called him yesterday with the development.

"They told me they charged Raymond Jones - with 28 charges."

Asked how he felt about the news, he said "really good...greatly relieved."

The alleged victim said the charges relate to five separate incidents.

He claims the abuse started when he was eight and until he reached 10 years old. The alleged attacks all took place in Avoca, north-west of Melbourne.

When asked about the impact this has had on his life, the man described it as a "bit like a horror show."

Raymond Kenneth Jones will face Ballarat Magistrates Court on August 27 for a filing hearing in relation to the charges.

It's a day his alleged victim never thought he’d live to see.

"I'd given up on it. I'd just let it go."