A pensioner whose sexual abuse left his victims' lives "ripped apart" and "broken" has been jailed for 16 years.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the two boys were both under 13 when Bernard High, from Rochester, first subjected them to his depravity, which included what were termed "sex games".

But at High's sentencing hearing, they bravely detailed the profound impact the abuse had had on them well into adulthood.

One said that he still suffered nightmares more than 30 years after the offences were committed.

He had always felt that he “was not man enough” and had found it difficult to speak to adult males, the court heard.

The abuse had affected not only him but other members of his family when they eventually found out.

The second victim said his childhood “had been ripped apart”.

Carrying around the “horrible, dirty secret” his whole life had left him “a broken man", he explained in his victim personal statement, read to the court.

He suffered from anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, and had still not been able to tell relatives of his ordeal.

“I will never forgive him," he added.

High, of Jenner Road, was found guilty after a seven-day trial of 16 child sexual offences dating back to the late 1980s.

Judge Philip Statman remarked that the 67-year-old had shown “not a crumb of remorse” and was continuing to deny that the abuse ever happened.

But he added that while such offences now carried tougher punishments, he was constrained to sentencing High according to the law at the time they were committed.

Referring to the long-term impact the abuse had had on the victims, Judge Statman said they had been abused in their "formative years”.

"The accounts that they gave of what the effect has been on them is both measured and of considerable importance to this court," he added.

"Each in their own way, profoundly affected by the abuse, showing the many symptoms that invariably are carried forward by victims of sexual abuse.

"You remain in total denial of that which has occurred. Your thought processes are both distorted and perverse."

High was told he will have to serve at least two-thirds of his jail term before he can be considered for release, and will be subject to life-long sex offender notification requirements.

As shown in this case, it is never too late to report an offence.

Speaking after his sentencing, Detective Sergeant Rachael Cheney said: “High is a despicable individual who targeted the vulnerable victims over a several years and subjected them to the most appalling abuse.

“‘I would like to thank both victims, who showed incredible courage in coming forward and then giving evidence at court.

“The crimes committed by High have had a long-lasting impact on their lives and I hope they can now move forward in the knowledge that their abuser is serving a considerable prison sentence.

“We continue to urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse to contact the police. As shown in this case, it is never too late to report an offence.

“This will allow us to ensure those who target vulnerable young victims are held to account for their actions.”