A paedophile who served in the Royal Navy and kept weapons in his house in preparation for the “end of the world” raped a young boy, a court heard.
James Carr, 68, left his victim feeling “devoid of worth” and “less than a man” because of the abuse he suffered. He sexually abused his victim in his actions described by a judge as a “campaign of abuse” and a “serious historic offence”.
He directed verbal abuse towards the victim and showed him “nothing but cruelty, coldness and abuse”, Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court was told. Carr was jailed for 15 years on Wednesday.
The abuse began with Carr forcefully kissing the victim and touching him intimately, WalesOnline reports. He later raped the child. Judge Jeremy Jenkins said: “This had a devastating effect on (the victim) and will live with him for the rest of his life.”
The sentencing hearing was told that the victim tried to take his own life on several occasions and received therapy. Carr, of Bridgend, south Wales, kept weapons at his home including a machete because he was “preparing for the end of the world”, the court heard.
He was convicted in 2018 of possessing indecent images of children and admitted watching such material for 14 years. And it was that conviction which led to the victim of his abuse contacting the police.
Carr was convicted of rape, attempted buggery and indecent assault. In a victim personal statement, the victim said: “When I was asked how (the defendant’s) actions affected me I was too overwhelmed to write anything. I was sat in tears thinking how my life would have been had I not endured him.
“It took me several years to get the courage to say what he had done to me. I felt dirty and used for most of my life, devoid of worth and unworthy of other people’s lives.
“He made me feel like it was my fault and what I deserved. I hid myself from the world in every sense of the word. He made me feel less than a man. For so long I held the secret.
“I’ve found it difficult to bond with and trust other males. What he did was twist me into the person I am today. I’ve had trouble staying in jobs and since I reported the crime I have experienced higher levels of fear and anxiety.”
In mitigation David Pinnell, defending, said Carr had served in the Royal Navy and had been stationed in locations including the Falkland Islands and the Arctic. He also acted as a carer for his parents.
Carr was told he will serve two-thirds of his 15-year prison sentence before he is eligible for parole. The paedophile was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order for the rest of his life.