A MAN who raped and repeatedly sexually abused a 12-year-old boy has been jailed for eight years.

Desmond Francis will only be released at the half way point of the sentence if the parole board think it is safe to do so,

When the 57-year-old father-of-six is eventually freed, which could be after the whole eight years, he will be on licence for an extra 12 months and must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

The South African was living in Trowbridge when he carried out the abuse on the youngster.

Francis, who gave the court an address in Upper Weston, Bath, pleaded guilty to rape of a child under 13 and sexual assault.

Swindon Crown Court heard that he used 'acts of grooming' to get the schoolboy alone so he could carry out the abuse.

When he was confronted with what the lad claimed, he said he would get help and called the NSPCC, who contacted the police.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, said when the child told officers about what had happened he only said the defendant had carried out sex acts on him.

But when Francis was questioned he accepted it had gone further that the lad said, and that he had also got him to perform the same acts on him.

Francis, who gave the court an address in Upper Weston, Bath, pleaded guilty to rape of a child under 13 and sexual assault.

Mark Sharman, defending, said "He stands before the court in respect of the lead offence precisely because he made that admission.

"It may be had he not been so candid that would not be on the indictment. He is 57 with no previous convictions.

"It happened over a short period of time and he desisted of his own way. He is an intelligent and educated man and he struggled to explain how he behaved in the way he did.

"It is out of character. Mr Francis has worked on the night shift in what can be described as an institution for boys. There is no suggestion of any impropriety in that. He removed himself from that."

He said that Francis described what he had done as 'abhorrent' and knew he must got to prison for it,

Mr Sharman said after a terrible upbringing at school in South Africa Francis' problems were exacerbated serving in the armed forces.

Jailing him, Judge Robert Pawson said "As you, I think, appreciate, this is a serious offence.

"It may not involve force or immediate fear of force. In this case your culpability is rooted in your exploitative behaviour. There was acts of grooming."

Following the case an NSPCC spokesman said: “This offender subjected his young victim to a catalogue of appalling abuse and it is right that he has faced justice for his actions.

“Child sexual abuse can have a devastating impact and the NSPCC’s Letting the Future In programme, run from the charity’s Swindon service centre, provides counselling and support to survivors of this awful crime.”

Any young person can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk. Adults concerned about a child’s safety can contact the NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 or nspcc.org.uk. Both are free, confidential, and open 24/7.