A PREDATOR who knocked out young boys with butane gas before seriously sexually assaulting them has been jailed for 18 years.
David Chilcott admitted his 20-year-old offences to police after the windows of his Alvaston home were smashed last year.
When asked by officers why he might be a target for vandals, he confessed to sexually assaulting three vulnerable boys in the 1980s and 1990s.
The three friends, aged between 10 and 13, would go to what Judge Jonathan Gosling described as Chilcott's "grubby" Derby home – where he would buy them gas and drugs, wait until they were "incapacitated" and then assault them.
In statements read out at Derby Crown Court one of the victims, who is now in his 30s, said he felt his "childhood had been stolen".
Chilcott, a 59-year-old factory machinist of London Road, admitted four counts of committing a
serious sexual assault, three counts of indecency with a child and two counts of indecently assaulting a child under 14.
Jailing him, Judge Gosling said: "I don't know which is worse – the sheer depths of your depravity or your sheer indifference towards the effects this has had (on the victims).
"You waited until these boys were intoxicated before indulging your revolting sexual inclination on these pre-pubescent boys.
"You would make them take part in your extreme perversion. One of those victims is in court and I can see for myself the effect it has had on him.
"You have seriously blighted their childhoods and the effects of your depravity have gone into their adult lives. You appear to have no appreciation of these crimes."
Esther Harrison, prosecuting, told the court how the victims came forward last year after Chilcott reported to the police a number of incidents of criminal damage.
She said when he was interviewed by the police he admitted that in the past he had been in "an unsafe relationship" with one of the boys.
The three victims came forward in April and May last year and in interviews with the police told them what they had experienced at Chilcott's hands.
On the day his trial was due to start, Chilcott pleaded guilty to the charges – sparing them the ordeal of having to give evidence.
Miss Harrison said: "The offences took place between 1989 and 1993, when the defendant was in his 30s and the boys aged between 10 and 14.
"One of the boys became friends with him and he would go to his house where the defendant bought butane gas which he would sniff, as well as alcohol, cigarettes and cannabis."
Miss Harrison read out to the court victim impact statements from the three boys, whose identity is protected by law.
She said: "One of them said he feels ashamed that he kept it to himself for so long.
"He has struggled throughout his life with drinks and drugs problems.
"Another victim said he 'numbed himself' to what had happened but felt uncomfortable handling his own children as they grew up as a result of what happened to him.
"And the third victim said it was a relief the defendant pleaded guilty so he did not have to talk about these things in open court and in front of people."
Steve Gosnell, for Chilcott, said his client had not offended since these incidents.
He said: "It is a plain admission that he took advantage of them (the victims).
"For the past 20 years he has led a law-abiding life.
"He has moved on with his life but unfortunately those he abused have not been able to move on in the same way.
"I can't explain it, I don't think he can, but he is sorry."
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Stephen Sherlock, senior investigating officer in the case, said: "Justice has been served for the victims and this sentence reflects the seriousness of the case.
"It also gives the victims some closure to move forward with their lives. We take these offences very seriously, and we provide support and confidentially to victims of historic sex abuse."
