A PAEDOPHILE who abused children over a lengthy period has been jailed for 10 years.

Former pub landlord Roy Arnold’s depravity spanned 38 years before he was finally brought to justice.

Judge Jeremy Carey, sitting at Maidstone Crown Court, said he had no doubt grievous harm of a long-term kind had been caused.

“He does not recognise that," added the judge. "Nor do I gain the impression he is aware of the depraved criminality and harm he has inflicted."

Arnold, 69, of Chelmar Road, Chatham, admitted three charges of rape, seven of indecent assault, eight of indecency with a child, three of indecent assault on a male and two of sexual assault.

The court heard that the charges covered almost every variety of sexual abuse. Jonathan Higgs, prosecuting, said it started in the 1960s.

Robert O’Sullivan, defending, said there was little a man in Arnold’s position could do to atone for the harm he had caused, except to face his guilt in a public way in court.

“His guilty plea is probably his only significant mitigation to put before the court. He knows he will be in prison for a long time.”

The judge said the most serious in a catalogue of sexual abuse Arnold committed was the repeated rape of one victim.

Arnold was banned from being in the company of children without an adult present and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Judge Carey said Arnold was likely to serve at least two-thirds of the sentence.