A PENSIONER is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison after being jailed for “vile” sexual abuse of children over a 17-year period.

George Prior, also known as Fred Smith, was sentenced to 16 years in prison at Oxford Crown Court yesterday, after being convicted last year of 16 charges of raping a female under 16, one charge of indecent assault and an attempted serious sexual assault.

Judge Anthony King said the charges reflected a sample of the actual offending, which followed a “pattern of depravity”.

Prior, of The Lees, Faringdon, has “significant” emphysema and walks with the aid of crutches.

Judge King jailed the 65-year-old for four years for the indecent assault, eight years for the attempted serious sexual assault and 16 years for each of the rapes. All the sentences will run concurrently, meaning the overall sentence is 16 years.

Judge King said: “Most of these offences were put before the court and treated as specimen counts concerning a course of conduct which spans 1974 to 1991.

“These offences were committed against four young girls.

“These offences were repeated, they were vile, they were persistent, they were carried out as a result of your intimidation and force upon them, such as they daren’t speak out, and thus, alas, when they did speak out, they were not believed.

“In short, you have had a devastating effect on the lives of each of them.”

He added: “These offences are grossly aggravated by the persistence and period of time over which you committed them.”

He added: “I would have passed a greater sentence if he was younger or in good health.”