A pervert who sexually abused two generations of a family has been locked up for four years.

John Woolham, 56, devastated his victims’ lives with his “abhorrent” crimes, a judge said.

Woolham, formerly of Orleans Street, Buttershaw, Bradford, pleaded guilty to four offences of sexual activity with a child, two of taking indecent photographs and two of indecency with a child.

Prosecutor Peter Moulson told Bradford Crown Court yesterday the two victims were young boys.

Woolham first struck more than 25 years ago when he molested a child aged about nine.

Last year, those offences came to light when his victim’s young relative complained to his father about Woolham.

The boy said Woolham had given him money. “It’s our secret. I’m not allowed to tell,” he said.

Woolham sexually molested the child over seven weeks and took obscene photographs of him on his mobile phone.

Mr Moulson said Woolham downloaded the images on to his computer and printed them out “to engender further sexual excitement when the boy wasn’t around”.

Woolham made no reply to any of the questions put to him by the police.

Mr Moulson said this first victim, now a grown man, experienced flashbacks and feelings of misplaced shame and guilt.

Woolham’s solicitor advocate, Phillip Ainge, said his client would have to build a new life from scratch. “He will have nothing, save and except himself, and his knowledge that this must never happen again,” he said.

Recorder of Bradford Judge James Stewart QC told Woolham: “To abuse two generations of one family is abhorrent.” Woolham seemed oblivious to the impact on his victims although he had effectively devastated their lives.

Woolham must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Detective Constable Ellen Allen, of Eccleshill Child and Public Protection Unit, said: “We are pleased with the sentence received today and we hope it will help bring closure to the victims and their families.”