A pervert who repeatedly sexually abused a young boy nearly 40 years ago has been jailed for eight years.

Kevin Blunden’s victim told a jury he had been molested at least 100 times and has since suffered psychologically.

Blunden, of Hunters Way, Tunbridge Wells, denied four offences of indecent assault on a male and one of gross indecency but was convicted by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court.

Blunden started the abuse when his victim was aged around nine-years-old.

The child had ‘run away from home’ when he was found by Blunden, who told him his parents would not punish him if he let him smack him instead. He struck the child with a belt and then sexually abused him.

Blunden lived close to the victim and after grooming him went on to commit further crimes over a two year period between 1975 and 1977, sometimes as often as twice a week.

Lesley Bates, defending, said the 58-year-old was of low intellect and had very little support.

“The main limb of mitigation is his own vulnerability,” she said. “One wonders how this man with his IQ and difficulties, and who spends his time watching trains and gardening, will cope with prison.”

Judge Michael Carroll said he did not need an expert to tell him the victim would have “bottled up” what happened to him and suffered.

There was grooming and the victim, who was suffering domestic violence at home, was deliberately targeted for the abuse.

“It is quite clear on the evidence he was already a very vulnerable child,” the judge told bearded Blunden. “You on any view took advantage of his situation.

“I am told you are someone of reduced intellect and understanding. It is little comfort to your victim that these offences were 40 years ago.

“You have not committed any offences since those days and I am bound to take that into account.

“I have regard to your intellect but that didn’t preclude you from being manipulative and using strange kinds of logic to persuade him to do your bidding.”

Judge Carroll said the maximum sentence he could pass was 10 years and the only reduction could be for good character in the intervening years.

Blunden’s name will appear on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.