A “CUNNING and predatory” paedophile who abused young children over a period of several years has been jailed for 15 years.

Adrian Joseph Martin Rennie used his position as a karate teacher to rape and commit sexual crimes against children, York Crown Court heard.

Simon Reevell, prosecuting, said all three victims were young children when they were first abused.

Rennie started his crimes when he was 16 and continued until he was arrested and imprisoned. He is now 29.

In a victim personal statement, one boy said how Rennie “corrupted him” and that he had turned to drink and drugs to try and escape the memories.

The mother of the second described how his personality had changed for the worse.

Both boys have long-term psychological effects because of their abuse, York Crown Court heard.

“You were not an immature young man, you knew what you were doing,” Judge Simon Hickey told him.

“You did all these offences with your eyes wide open.”

He jailed Rennie for 15 years, plus a five-year extended prison licence for the offences against the two boys.

The sentence started yesterday after Rennie had already served more than three years of a 10-year sentence he received for offences against a girl in January 2015. He had denied those offences but was convicted by a jury.

An NSPCC Spokesman said: “Rennie is responsible for a truly horrific catalogue of vile abuse against young children and it is imperative that his victims receive all possible support.”

Rennie, formerly of Dringhouses, pleaded guilty to six charges of raping a boy under 13 and 14 other sexual offences against boys under 13.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman called Rennie a “cunning and predatory paedophile”.

“However, all of his cunning came to nought when victim after victim came forward, each taking strength from the other to unmask a chain of offending totalling approximately seven years,” said the spokesman.

“There was a stark contrast in court between the cowardly and shameful behaviour of Rennie, who targeted the most vulnerable, and the courage and dignity shown by the families, there to see justice done.”

He said of independent sexual violence advisors who worked with the victims and their families: “They have been outstanding in guiding them through the investigation and court process as well as providing support and counselling."

Rennie’s barrister Michael Rawlinson told the court: “He is very, very sorry and will be sorry for the ongoing damage he has caused to these victims. He cannot take back what he has done.

“What he feels he has done is finally plead guilty.”