A 101-year-old pedophile has been jailed in Britain for 13 years for committing a string of sex offences against young children in the 1970s and 80s.
Retired haulier Ralph Clarke had already been warned to expect a significant custodial sentence for 17 offences of indecent assault, 11 of indecency with a child and two attempted serious sexual assaults.
Clarke, believed to be the oldest person ever convicted by a jury in Britain, pleaded guilty to nine offences relating to a male victim part-way through a two-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
Judge Richard Bond, QC, told him: "You present as a fragile old man; however, what was plain to see was that, despite your guilty pleas, you have no remorse whatsoever."
Sentencing Clarke, the judge told the pensioner his offending against three vulnerable youngsters, one as young as 4, had been "repeated and sustained" over many years.
He said the children had been "powerless" to stop the former RAF serviceman, who would threaten and beat those who defied his word.
Judge Bond told him: "One of your victims remembers you as a nasty man, free with your fists, and he would get belted by you."
Clarke would also try to "bribe" his other young victims after abusing them, with sweet money of "10p or 20p".
Praising the victims for coming forward and giving evidence, Bond contrasted the emotional and psychological damage the offences had done to them with Clarke, who, he said, had been "able to lead your life without being punished for your dreadful acts".
Throughout the sentencing on Monday, Clarke shook his head and said "No, no, no".
Those who had suffered for years at widower Clarke's hands branded him "evil" for his crimes, after he was convicted by a jury at the city's Crown Court last week.
Back in court to hear Britain's oldest prisoner sentenced, the three victims broke down in tears and hugged.
As frail Clarke was led out with the help of an intermediary, two dock officers and his walking stick, he was heard asking how long he had been jailed for before being taken down.
