A paedophile has been jailed for 14 years after destroying the lives of three children.

Dean Mountain, of Wallwood Road in Ramsgate, subjected the trio to horrifying abuse decades ago.

The 53-year-old's brave victims told a court today how their mental scars may never heal following the suffering they experienced at Mountain’s hands.

“Dean stole my childhood. Instead of being free to play and enjoy my childhood, I was burdened with fear, guilt and so much confusion," one said.

“I have suffered from the side effects of my abuse for the full 30 years since it happened.

"I am not sure I will ever be free of it,” another told Mountain's sentencing hearing at Norwich Crown Court.

Following a four-week trial at the same court, Mountain was found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted indecent assault.

During the trial, Mountain made admissions relating to a fourth victim.

He was charged in relation to the attack in the 1990s but the case was dropped before it reached trial.

The victim’s evidence of his bad character was vital in securing his conviction today, a Norfolk Constabulary spokesman said.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Pippa Maskell, said: "I would like to commend all the victims involved in this case.

"They had to relive incredibly difficult details of traumatic incidents in their lives and these were integral in securing Mountain’s convictions.

“It doesn’t matter how long ago it occurred, we will always investigate reports of sexual assault and take each one very seriously.

“These types of offences can have a lifelong impact on their victims and I want to thank them for their bravery.

"I hope this sentence provides them with some level of closure and comfort knowing he can no longer re-offend.”

Upon his release, Mountain will serve eight years on license and be made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He has been made subject to a lifetime of notification requirements.