A RAPIST who showed 'no remorse' for sexually abusing five vulnerable children from the 1960s through to the new millennium has been jailed for 19 years.

And 77-year-old Martin Connolly, known to many as Mark, is likely to die behind bars as a result of the sentence passed, a court was told.

Because all of the offences predate a change of law in 2003 he will have to serve two thirds of the sentence before he can apply for parole.

Should Connolly, whose 49-year-old daughter Alison was murdered in 2015, get parole at the first opportunity he will be in his nineties when retains his liberty.

He had been standing trial at Swindon Crown Court for the abuse of four of the victims when he started to make admissions in the witness box.

And in an unusual step after his evidence was completed Connolly asked for the charges to be put again and he admitted all but one count.

Judge Tim Mousley QC said: "This was sustained, systematic, gross abuse of vulnerable young children. It included rape.

"There was grooming and that included attempts by you to get, some of them at least, to watch pornography. I detect no remorse in you whatsoever."

He said: "What you did was more than taking advantage of opportunities that presented themselves from time to time when you were alone with the children.

"The impact on each one of them has been profound and it will last for ever, to some extent. In relation to each of them: they were innocent children."

Connolly repeatedly raped a girl between the ages of seven and 12, molested a lad aged six or seven, tried to rape a girl when she was 13 or 14, groped another between the ages of four and 12 and the final victim when she was 13 or 14.

Earlier Simon Jones, prosecuting, had read pieces of victim personal statements from the boy and three of the girls he abused.

Reading from the statement of the girl who was subjected to repeated rapes he said: "The one thing that she did know is that this has affected her whole life."

He said she had turned to drugs to cope while all had trouble with relationships and one had self harm and even attempted suicide.

Chris Smyth, defending, said his client realised he was facing jail adding: "It is probably doubtful Mr Connolly, whatever sentence, will ever come out of prison."

He said that while four victims had to give evidence his client's 'part confessional in the witness box', at least showed he was beginning to show remorse.

Mr Smyth told the court that it was 'extremely rare' for a defendant to admit what he had done during a trial.

Many people facing similar charges, he said, would go on denying it even after they have been convicted and sentenced.

He said as well as his age Connolly was also not in the best of health have undergone four heart operations and also suffering high blood pressure and depression.

Connolly had said he experienced a breakdown after serving with the army in the Belgian Congo in 1959, turned to drink, and was still on antidepressants, as a result of his time in the services.

After leaving the Army he had a number of building jobs before working as a kitchen porter at Mackenzie's on Wood Street.

Connolly, of Windmill Court, Uxbridge Road, Freshbrook, admitted three counts of rape, one attempted rape, 11 indecent assaults and gross indecency. One charge of rape was left to lie on file.

All of the abuse took place when he was living in Ramsbury Avenue and Penhill Drive.

Det Con Nick Bishop said: “Martin Connolly put his young victims through terrible ordeals, an experience no one should ever have to go through.

"These appalling, depraved offences took place over five decades from the 1960s through to the 2000s.

“I am satisfied with the sentence handed out today and I hope this gives the victims and their families some solace so they can move forward with their lives, knowing justice has been served.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for coming forward - those brave actions have helped put this predator behind bars.

“I also hope this case highlights how seriously Wiltshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service takes child sexual abuse; whether it is recent or non-recent, we will take every action available to bring offenders to justice.

“I would always encourage anyone to come forward and contact police immediately if they feel they have been a victim of sexual abuse.

"Victims can also seek support and counselling from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) based at the New Swindon Sanctuary - they can be contacted on the 24-hour helpline: 0808 168 0024 or via www.newswindonsanctuary.co.uk."

An NSPCC spokesman in South West England said: “Connolly has been exposed as a serial sex offender, responsible for a series of horrific attacks over many years. His helpless victims were children, aged as young as four.

“Among his unspeakable crimes were a string of rapes and sexual assaults, as he took advantage of vulnerable youngsters and subjected them to shocking levels of abuse during their childhood.

“All of his victims must be praised for their enormous bravery in speaking out – some of whom have dealt with the effects of his actions for decades. Thanks to their courage, Connolly is now behind bars where he cannot hurt any other children.

“Abuse can ruin childhoods and affect individuals into adulthood, so it’s vital anyone affected can access the support they need rather than suffer in silence, as sadly so many do. ChildLine, 0800 1111, is available 24/7 to offer confidential advice. Meanwhile, adults concerned about a child’s welfare can call our helpline on 0808 800 5000.”