A CHILD rapist has been jailed for up to 12 years.

Leslie Pennick abused two boys he was supposed to be caring for between 1982 and 1992 in Essex.

The 66-year-old, most recently of of Goldhanger Road, Heybridge, denied all eight charges he faced meaning his victims had to go through the ordeal of a trial.

However they finally got justice when he was found guilty of all eight counts.

Paedophile Pennick still refuses to admit what he has done.

His sentence, passed at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, would have been longer but Recorder Gerard Pounder decided the boys had suffered harm but "not severe psychological harm".

Pennick was convicted of two count of buggery against a boy. Today it would be called rape.

He committed another three indecent assaults against the victim.

If committed now one of those would also be defined as rape.

Pennick was also convicted of three counts of indecent assault against a second boy.

The victims cannot be identified and have automatic anonymity for life.

Recorder Pounder said: "The activities you were found guilty of took place against a child aged six to 12 years-of-age.

"The other person was a child nine to 15-years-of-age."

He said Pennick had been trusted to be around children and care for them but had abused this.

He added: "These matters are complicated.

"They go back to the 1980s and early 90s.

"A lot of water has flowed since then."

In deciding which sentencing category the crimes fall into Recorder Pounder said: "I have got to be sure there was severe psychological harm and physical harm.

"There has been some psychological harm.

"There was grooming and you made them more vulnerable as children."

But he concluded it was not "severe".

Pennick was sentenced to nine years for the two counts of buggery.

He received two sentences of three years and one of four-and-a-half-years for indecent assaults.

These will be served concurrently meaning a nine year sentence for offences against one victim.

He received three sentences of three years for offences against the second victim.

These will be served concurrently to each other but consecutively to the first victim making 12 years in total.

At least half of this will be served in prison.

An extra one year extended licence period was added.

Pennick will also be on the sex offenders' register for life and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

Det Con Marcus Baker, said: "I’ve been working on this investigation since 2015 and Pennick has not shown any remorse or empathy towards the victims, who bravely gave evidence against their attacker.

"They were put through horrific ordeals at a very young age and the abuse they were subjected to has remained with them all their lives.

"Pennick lengthy sentence is testament to our hard work and determination in bringing sex offenders to justice and he will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Pennick is a serial sexual predator who showed no remorse for his sustained campaign of horrific abuse against vulnerable boys.

“He probably thought his vile crimes would never come to light but thanks to the immense bravery of his victims he is now behind bars.

“It is vital that all survivors are given the support they need to deal with the devastating impact this type of abuse has on victims’ lives.

“Anyone concerned about abuse can contact the NSPCC’s helpline on 0808 800 5000.”