A PAEDOPHILE has finally been brought to justice fourty years after committing horrific crimes.

Raymond Hall, 66, committed a series of vile sexual assaults against a child in Colchester during the Seventies.

After being found guilty he went on the run for two months until a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Hall was found guilty of four acts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency on a girl aged under 14.

He denied the charges throughout, and continued to do so during a sentencing hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court last week.

Judge David Turner QC handed him a four-year prison sentence.

The judge said he believes the victim’s pain would have been added to by being accused of lying and exaggerating during the trial.

He said: “She still has painful flashbacks and disturbing memories.

“Her own relationships have been impacted.

“She has struggled with this deep secret for too long.

“You are in absolute denial of your offending.

You continue to claim your innocence.”

Hall, who has eight children and as many grandchildren, has served in the Army and the fire service.

He represented himself during the sentencing hearing and continued to protest his innocence.

He said: “I’ve not offended in a 30-year period. I would have had plenty of opportunities to reoffend and I have never.

“I do not believe I’m a danger to anyone.”

Following the trial Hall was bailed, but did not show up for his first sentencing hearing.

A warrant was issued for his arrest and he eventually handed himself in two months later.

Speaking during yesterday’s hearing Hall, of Hardes Street, Ramsgate, apologised for this, saying he did it because it had hit him what he would miss if he was sent to prison.

The offences happened in the Seventies on a girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, between the ages of six and 14.

Judge Turner sentenced him to an extra 28 days in jail for the bail offence.

A sexual harm prevention order was also made.