A MAN who repeatedly sexually abused a young boy has been jailed for life.

Brian Blake, formerly from Rushenden, near Sheerness, but now living at Fordham Road, Scunthorpe, was told by Judge Adele Williams he presented a continuing serious risk to children and it was impossible to predict when that risk may no longer exist.

Blake had been convicted at Maidstone Crown Court of five indecent assaults, indecency with a child and a serious sexual assault in August and sentence adjourned for a psychiatric report.

He had previous convictions for similar matters in 1981, 1992 and 1995.

But at Friday’s sentencing hearing at Canterbury Crown Court Judge Williams was told Blake had not co-operated with the preparation of the report.

She said he had been convicted on compelling evidence and anybody listening to the evidence of the victim, now 22, would have no doubt about the long term detrimental effect of Blake’s abuse.

Blake claimed to be the victim of abuse himself and his counsel, Tom Allen, said it was a tragedy that Blake was a victim who society failed and it was a "very very sad spiral".

The offences occurred between 1988 and 1991 when Blake lived at Rushenden and the victim told the court he felt his childhood had been taken away from him.

Blake had previous convictions for similar offences and Mr Allen said Blake was angry but had never sought revenge in the past and the offences were committed a long time ago.

The serious sexual assault was an isolated offence and there had been no complaints since Blake’s last release from prison, the offences for which he was to be sentenced, pre-dating his last sentence.

Judge Williams said a pre-sentence report made disturbing reading and indicated Blake posed a continuing threat to children.

She recommended he serve four years, 10 months and one week before parole would be considered and made a sexual offences prevention order.

Blake will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.