A CHILD rapist who confessed his crimes in telephone calls to Childline and the Samaritans has been sentenced to a four-year custodial term.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, contacted both charities to admit he had committed sex attacks against a boy under the age of 11.

The information was passed to Gwent Police, who arrested him, Cardiff Crown Court was told today.

Prosecutor Jason Howells said the offences were committed when the defendant, now aged 19, was a few years younger.

The court also heard how he had been “corrupted” by pornography.

The defendant, from the Caerphilly county borough area, appeared for sentence after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to two charges of rape, two counts of sexual assault and three charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Justin Evans, mitigating, said it was his client who had communicated with the charities so that he would be prosecuted.

He added that the defendant had made full and frank admissions in great detail to detectives and had admitted his guilt at the very first opportunity in court. He had no previous convictions.

The court heard how the defendant had been bullied for being gay at school.

In sentencing him, Judge Jeremy Jenkins told the sex offender: “I understand that you are deeply ashamed and sorry for what you have done.

“Since this offending, you have led a peaceable and trouble-free life.”

But although the judge said that for the defendant “life must have been intolerable” as he was growing up, his crimes were so serious that only a custodial service could be justified.

He was sent to a young offenders’ institute for four years, of which he is due to serve at least half of that term.

He must also register on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

The court heard how the defendant’s pre-sentence report prepared by the Probation Service had not classified him as dangerous, and categorised him as at a “low risk” of reoffending.

Childline was founded by journalist Dame Esther Rantzen in 1986.

It is a free 24-hour counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday in the United Kingdom provided by the NSPCC.

Common issues which are dealt with include child abuse, bullying, mental illness and neglect.