Blind paedophile Malcolm Richards who listened to abuse jailed for life
A blind paedophile who revelled in listening to his victims being abused was jailed for life yesterday.
Malcolm Richards, 43, enjoyed hearing the torment of five youngsters he forced to play sex games and watch hardcore porn.
The warped hulk ?listened in? from behind a door during a six-year campaign of evil.
Leaning on a white stick, and wearing thick glasses, he smiled as he was jailed for ?the worst? child sex abuse case the judge had heard.
Maidstone Crown Court was told Richards targeted ?vulnerable and defenceless? kids.
He roped in partner Alison Smith, 41, and they forced their victims to perform sex acts on each other several times a week between 1993 and 1999. Boys as young as 13 were bullied into taking part.
One girl was abused from the age of ten. Richards was arrested last February after she went to police.
The victims, who cannot be named, are now all adults.
Judge James O?Mahoney said Richards? ?dreadful? crimes had inflicted ?misery? ? and said the case had the ?hallmark of cruelty throughout?.
He added: ?Whilst sympathising with you for your blindness, you have always been completely responsible for your actions.?
He told Richards he had been ?manipulative, devious and relentless in your cruelty to children?.
The judge, who had sat at several child abuse trials, added: ?This is the worst case that I have ever encountered.
?Not just in the degree of sexual abuse, but cruelty and bullying went on of vulnerable and defenceless children.?
Richards, of Gillingham, Kent, was convicted of 19 counts including rape, sexual assault and indecency.
He must serve at least ten years before he can be considered for parole.
He will be on the sex offenders register for life.
Smith, of Rainham, Kent, was convicted of three charges of indecency with a child and was jailed for 3½ years.
The Sun