An evil paedophile who subjected three boys to a “campaign of relentless sadism” has been jailed for 27 years.

Paul Waddingham, 62, was convicted by a jury yesterday of 15 charges, including buggery and indecent assault, after a week-long trial at Bradford Crown Court.

Sentencing him, the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC, said it was an “utterly horrendous” case and one of the most deeply upsetting he had listened to.

Waddingham, formerly of Bradford, now of Dams Way, Belchford, Lincolnshire, was in custody throughout the trial after failing to show up in court.

He showed no emotion as he was led down to the cells, supporting himself on a metal crutch.

The jury unanimously found him guilty of four charges of buggery, eight offences of indecent assault and three other offences, between the early 1990s and early 2000s.

Judge Durham Hall said the evidence in the case was compelling and he praised the bravery of the three complainants who had to relive their ‘torture’ in court.

“This was a campaign, boy after boy, of relentless sadism,” the judge said.

He told Waddingham: “Whenever the opportunity arose, you abused in the most sick, appalling, violent, perverted and sadistic way, three boys.”

Waddingham made his victims clip his toenails with their teeth and watch horror films. He repeatedly struck them with his knuckles and threw darts at them.

Judge Durham Hall said it was “perhaps unlikely” that Waddingham, who has diabetes, arthritis and bowel cancer, would ever be freed from prison.

One of Waddingham’s victims had described him as “evil.”

“The three men have had their lives ruined, although they have done their best to overcome the deep psychological scarring at your hands,” the judge said.

Waddingham’s barrister, Lesley Manley, said that although he was in poor health, she did not ask for an adjournment for a medical report.

Judge Durham Hall tod Waddingham: “You are truly a deeply unpleasant paedophile with all the manipulative tendencies.”

Judge Durham Hall made a restraining order banning Waddingham from contacting the three men forever and he must sign on the sex offender register for life.