A PREDATORY and persistent sex offender – that was how a judge described a Basingstoke paedophile before sentencing him to up to 19 years in prison.

Paul Thomas, 50, of Western Way, South Ham, was also labelled a danger to the public by judge Andrew Barnett after his conviction for 25 charges of sexual offences, including rape, against four young girls.

A two-month trial, which ended in January, heard how Thomas’ crimes spanned some 15 years, from the mid-1990s to 2010, when the first victim came forward to Hampshire Constabulary.

The victims were abused separately at different times and locations. One girl was given cash and cigarettes by Thomas before he sexually abused her at the age of 14.

At the sentencing hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Monday, Judge Barnett handed Thomas an extended determinate sentence because of the risk he poses to the general public.

He said: “The picture is one of a predatory and persistent sex offender who, whenever the opportunity and inclination coincided, abused these young girls and caused appalling trauma to them.

“The image I saw and the jury saw of these complainants having to relive the harrowing experience through which you put them was sufficient to stay in the memory for a long time.”

Kerry Maylin, prosecuting, read out impact statements from Thomas’ victims. One of them said she had to turn to drink, drugs and self-harming to cope, while another described Thomas as making her life ‘a living hell’.

Other counts against Thomas, including possession of indecent photographs of children and voyeurism, which had been separated from the original trial, were allowed to lie on file.

Dominic Cox, defending Thomas, said: “He has already found life very difficult in prison. He has been subject to threats, has been on suicide watch and has been on anti-depression tablets.”

As well as the 19-year sentence, Thomas was given an indefinite sexual offences prevention order.

Jerry Lee Howe, 40, of Dunnyshop Avenue, Accrington, Lancashire, was sentenced a total of 11 years for one count of indecent assault, one count of indecency with a child and one count of rape, all committed against one young girl.

The judge also commended officers from Hampshire Constabulary and witness service for their work during the investigation and trial.

Detective Inspector Scott Clarke, of the force’s Major Investigation Team, told The Gazette: “We welcome that justice has been served. Two dangerous men are no longer around to commit serious sexual offences against children.

“I commend the victims for coming forward and working with us. Hopefully, for them this will be closure for this part of their lives.”