Pervert faces dying in jail after rape and sexual assaults on children

Sydney McDonald received the sentence at Teesside Crown Court after he was convicted of 13 charges of sexually assaulting children, and one charge of rape of a child.

The court heard McDonald preyed on each of his victims repeatedly.

His first three victims, one of whom was left bleeding after being raped, were too scared to come forward at the time, fearing their word as children would not be believed over that of an adult.

The full scale of McDonald's offending became apparent after his last victim came forward two years ago.

McDonald, of Staithes Court, Hartlepool, was found guilty of all the offences after a trial last month.

Judge Tony Briggs described McDonald's behaviour as "truly dreadful", and praised the victims for the "calm and dignified" way they gave their evidence.

The court heard McDonald is in ill health and may never be released from prison.