A SEXUAL offender, who committed a string of “cruel” and “violent” historic assaults on two boys while in his teens, has been jailed for 17 years.

Paul Elliott, 45, of Glenview, Maesycwmmer, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday, October 11 after he was found guilty by a jury last month.

He was found guilty of 11 counts of sexual offences against boys including two charges of indecent assault, six of gross indecency and three of sexual assault.

The court heard that Elliott was found guilty following a trial which concluded on Wednesday, September 20 and related to historic sexual offences.

Prosecuting, John Ryan told the court that Elliott targeted two pre-pubescent boys, who were between the ages of eight and 12 at the time, while aged between 14 and 17.

“There was grooming and planning,” he added.

Mr Ryan read aloud to the court the victim impact statement of one of Elliott’s victims.

“He has not shown an amount of remorse,” said the barrister, “He made me relieve this painful experiences again.”

The victim’s statement added that the trial increased his anxiety, especially as he felt the lack of regret shown by Elliott implied he was lying.

“I need to rebuild my life that he has robbed for me,” said Mr Ryan, with the victim adding it was intention to move away from south Wales to start afresh.

“I lost my faith in humanity,” ended the barrister.

Defending, Ian Ibrahim told the court that Elliott had a “troubled childhood” and he had changed from the person he was in his mid-teens.

“The principal point of mitigation is his age at the time of the offending,” said Mr Ibrahim, “He was between 14 and 17.

“He is dyslexic and it was difficult for him greatly at school.”

Concluding, judge Jeremy Jenkins said that although Elliott had led a “industrious and crime-free life” since the offending, he had shown no remorse for his actions.

“Your first victim – he was aged between nine and 12 years of age when the offending took place,” said the judge.

“Your second victim was aged between eight and 12.

“Each of the boys lived around your parents’ house and the surrounding area.

“You befriended them and you were five to six years older.”

Mr Jenkins added that at the time of his “cruel” actions, he was more sexually mature and more sexually aware than his young victims, including an incident that occurred in a pig sty.

Elliott received a sentence of 17 years, which related to consecutive sentences of nine years and eight years for the offences for the serious sexual assaults.

Mr Jenkins also handed down a number of concurrent sentences – eight years for the other sexual assault, four years and 18 months for the two indecent assault charges and one period of two years, three terms of 18 months and two of one year in prison for the gross indecency – as well as a victim surcharge playable on his release from prison.

The 45-year-old will be released on licence midway through his sentence and will remain on the sexual offenders list for life.