Sex offender jailed 11 years (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Sex offender jailed 11 years

A MAN who "repeatedly and systematically" sexually abused three boys has been jailed for 11 years.

Landscape gardener Graham Cairns, aged 42, of Salford, near Chipping Norton, was last month convicted by a jury of 17 out of 18 allegations that he raped and abused three boys between 1984 and 1991.

He appeared at Oxford Crown Court last Friday to be sentenced.

Judge Mary-Jane Mowat said the jury had found he had carried out "prolonged, repeated and systematic sexual abuse" of the boys.

Two of his victims were around eight when the abuse started and it continued through their teens. One of the boys had special needs.

Cairns was in his early 20s when he started the abuse, and was at least 10 years older than the boys.

Judge Mowat said Cairns corrupted them by kindness and guile, and by pretending he had a violent background.

Two of his victims had been treated for depression, and Judge Mowat said he "had spoiled two lives without doubt".

Defending, Tony McGeorge, said those who knew Cairns described him as a gentle and kind person, and had been completely "taken aback" by revelations during the trial.

Mr McGeorge said Cairns described his behaviour as the biggest mistake of his life, and had expressed real regret for his actions.

In total he was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders' register indefinitely and was disqualified from working with children.