by Stephen Waite and Keith Hunt

The secretary of Sittingbourne Christmas Lights Association has spoken of the committee’s shock that their former chairman was a serial sex abuser.

James Mitchell was sentenced to 28 years in prison this week after being convicted of horrific child abuse spanning four decades.

Such was the depravity of his crimes, the 56-year-old has been told he will not be considered for parole for at least 14 years.

Mitchell joined the association as a committee member in February 2008 after attending its AGM.

Pam Griggs, who is secretary and acting treasurer, said: “During 2009, we did a CRB check and it all came back clean. With our dealings with him, we had no problems at all.”

Mitchell was voted in as chairman the following February.

“He was doing quite well as a committee member, helped out when we had events and I think the other members thought it was time for a change and he was elected as chairman.”

But that December, traditionally a busy month for the association with its Santa sleigh-ride collections, Mitchell said he was unavailable.

“We had a message saying he had family problems and would not be able to help out,” said Mrs Griggs.

“The last meeting he attended was in January 2011 and we didn’t see him after that.

“He knew the AGM was in February but he didn’t turn up and he wasn’t re-elected.”

Mrs Griggs said she had been appalled by the evidence which came out during the trial in April.

“I don’t think anyone believed it to begin with. I guess you never can tell what people are like.

“As more and more information came out we were as shocked as everyone else. If we had had any inkling we would have got him off the committee.”

Commenting on his sentence, she added: “At his age, 28 years is life.

“Was he ever going to stop? At least he is behind bars and everyone is safe from him.”

Mrs Griggs said the case had resulted in the odd comment from people saying they would not help with the lights if “people like that” were on the committee.

Long-term, she said the association had moved on, having had nothing to do with Mitchell for more than 18 months.

“We’ve just got on with things. It’s all behind us now.”

FOUR DECADES OF ABUSE

Mitchell continues to maintain he is innocent and showed no emotion throughout Monday’s sentencing hearing.

Judge Philip St John-Stevens told him: “Those historical offences do not, as in many cases, stand alone in history, but mark milestones in your unrelenting journey of sexual abuse.

“The reality is that justice has caught up with your persistent life of offending from when you were 16 or 17 until you were 54 years old.”

The judge said aggravating features of the case included repeated abuse, multiple victims, a background of intimidation and coercion and the threat and use of violence.

Mitchell, of Invicta Road, Sheerness, was convicted of three offences of rape, eight of indecent assault, three of sexual activity with a child, one of gross indecency and 11 other serious sexual offences.

He was acquitted of six charges of indecent assault, two of indecency with a child and one of sexual activity with a child involving three other girls.

Maidstone Crown Court heard heartbreaking evidence from victims over nine weeks.

Mitchell’s name will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.