A VICTIM of an Ipswich paedophile said he hoped the pensioner would die in prison after seeing him jailed for 18 years today.Even after more than 40 years, the victim still bears the burden of the abuse he suffered at the hands of serial child predator Raymond Hawes.

A VICTIM of an Ipswich paedophile said he hoped the pensioner would die in prison after seeing him jailed for 18 years today.

Even after more than 40 years, the victim still bears the burden of the abuse he suffered at the hands of serial child predator Raymond Hawes.

The 67-year-old, who lived around 200 yards away from St Pancras primary school before he was arrested, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court for a string of offences on a number of children dating back decades.

These included three counts of buggery, attempted rape, indecent assaults on male and female victims and having child pornography.

The victims and their families supported each other as they sat in court and saw the OAP jailed by Judge John Holt, who sentenced him as he would have done in 1987 and not under today's more lenient guidelines.

Judge Holt said this was because Hawes had been admitted child sex offences that year, but omitted to tell police about the crimes before him today.

After the sentencing one of the predator's victims said: “I think we are all pleased with the sentence. It was as much as we could have asked for. We hope he will not get out and that he will die in prison. That was the only way to stop him carrying on.”

Speaking about the legacy of the abuse on himself and his family, the man said: “If affects everybody. You feel betrayed. The nightmares are the worst.

“You think you are alone. You have got that secret all your life.”

“I have had problems coping all my life. I have been in St Clement's Hospital several times and have tried to commit suicide.”

Another of Hawes' victims said: “I am happy with the sentence. I have had a life of hell. It's been a nightmare.”

Suffolk police officer, detective constable Sarah Shrubshaw, the investigating officer on the case, was in court to hear the sentence and help support the victims and their families.

She said: “It's been very difficult for them to come forward because it was a long time ago and it's dragged up dreadful memories. The fact he has got a heavy sentence has made them feel more positive.”

Dc Shrubshaw said she hoped the sentence and bravery of the victims would help give others in a similar position to come forward.

Hawes, who walked into court using a walking stick, listened to his sentencing through a hearing aid and heard Judge Holt tell him he presented a serious risk of harm to the public, which was clearly confirmed by the matters before him.

Judge Holt told the court Hawes was “a serial abuser of boys”.