A PENSIONER convicted of sexually abusing two “vulnerable” boys in the 1960s and 1970s was jailed for 10 years yesterday.

Alan Hale, 72, formerly of Newport, assaulted the two boys, both under 10.

The court had previously heard how the abuse started with harmless play fighting before moving onto “wrestling games” which led to sexual and indecent assaults.

Hale, now of Hayes Gardens, Paignton, Devon, would give one of the victims cash rewards to buy sweets and told him he would be taken into care if he told anyone about the abuse.

Sentencing him at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday, Judge Daniel Williams told Hale: “You knew they were extremely vulnerable young boys and you exploited that vulnerability in the most wicked way.”

Hale had originally denied the offences but was found guilty following a trial at Newport Crown Court of one sexual offence and 11 counts of indecent assault.

Judge Williams said the jury had recognised the victims were telling the truth in the trial and had seen through Hale’s “mock outrage” which he demonstrated when giving evidence.

He said: “The effect on the victims has been profound.

“You have demonstrated no remorse at all.”

Prosecuting barrister in the trial, Susan Ferrier had told the jury the boys were “manipulated” into engaging in sexual activity with Hale and described the attacks as “heartbreaking” and “harrowing”.

Representing Hale in court yesterday, Charles Row said there was no evidence that Hale had committed any further sexual offending.

He added that Hale, who used to enjoy diving and fishing, had saved lives of people who had got into difficulty on the water in the past including the lives of two people when he pulled their boat from some rocks around 10 to 14 years ago.

Judge Williams sentenced Hale to 10 years imprisonment for the sexual offence and four years imprisonment for the indecent assault offences. The sentences will be served concurrently.

Hale was disqualified from working with children and was also made subject indefinitely to the requirements of the sexual offences act.

No sexual offences prevention order was made.