A PENSIONER has been jailed for 25 years for a catalogue of sexual abuse spanning almost a decade.

Last month Raymond Hodges was found guilty 24 charges including rape, sexual activity with a child under 13, indecent assault, and assault.

He was also found guilty of using an instrument to procure a miscarriage.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the 71-year-old from Barry subjected the young victim – who cannot be identified for legal reasons – to years of depraved abuse, which began when she was just five years old.

She was just eight years old when he first raped her.

Hodges denied the majority of the charges against him, forcing the victim, who is now an adult, to face the added trauma of a trial.

Despite his protestations of innocence, Judge Harris-Jenkins today sentenced Hodges to a total of 25 years behind bars.

He will also remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

In his sentencing remarks the judge slammed the defendant as a sadistic deviant, and said that he showed “a callous disregard for the emotional and physical wellbeing of the victim”.

For the charge of using an instrument to procure a miscarriage, he imposed a 15-year concurrent sentence.

The judge also highlighted Hodges’ complete lack of remorse and refusal to admit that he was anything other than “lonely and weak-willed”, and praised the victim for having the courage to report the crimes and engage with the court process.

After hearing the victim impact statement, Judge Harris-Jenkins reminded that court of the emotional and physical trauma the victim has suffered in the years during and following the abuse, which has led to self-harming and attempts to take her own life, and further praised her ability to read out the statement to the courtroom.

Echoing the judge’s sentiments, Detective Constable Steve Gunney, who led the investigation, also praised the woman for coming forward to report the abuse which robbed her of a childhood and blighted her life.

“I am so pleased that Raymond Hodges has been brought to justice for his appalling crimes and that he is now behind bars where he belongs and where he will remain for a very long time," he said.

“This result was only possible due to the bravery of the young woman concerned. She showed enormous courage in coming forward to report the abuse and throughout the investigation.

“After being subjected to abuse for so many years she then had to face the further ordeal of a trial, as Hodges was too cowardly to admit his guilt.

"She faced that extremely difficult experience with that same unwavering courage and I hope that today’s outcome will provide some comfort and closure for her as she tries to rebuild her life.”

He added: “I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to come forward to report such appalling crimes, but I hope sentences such as these prove to victims that they will be believed and that there is a whole range of support out there, not only from the police but from partner agencies who can help you through the entire process.

“Survivors of abuse by predators like Hodges deserve to see them brought to justice and we are determined to do all we can to help them.”

Sexual abuse can be reported via 101, or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively, help, advice and support can be sought from Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC). Visit http://thesurvivorstrust.org/sarc/ or contact 02920 335795.