A sex offender jailed for abuse which made his victim’s life “hell” has had the terms of his sentence tweaked.

Michael Stanborough, 53, was locked up for four years at Carlisle Crown Court last month for crimes he committed during the late 1970s.

His victim, Ade Kevern, was aged seven to nine at the time, and bravely waived his right to anonymity after the sentencing to highlight Stanborough’s sick crimes.

“In the following years I was in a very dark place,” he said.

“I was drinking heavily to block out the flashbacks that were occurring on a frequent basis and became an angry person filled with rage and hatred for the perpetrator.

“I am determined not to let the last 34 years of hell define me."

Having admitted five sex crimes, Stanborough, of Calder Avenue, Whitehaven, was jailed by Judge Tony Lancaster. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

However, at the crown court yesterday, it emerged that the length of the notification requirement imposed at that time was incorrect.

Judge Lancaster referred to sentencing guidance which stated that Stanborough should, in fact, sign the register for the fixed period of 10 years because he was under 20 when he committed the offences.

“Having considered the matter, the appropriate office at Cumbria Constabulary pointed out the court was in error in making an indefinite registration requirement,” Judge Lancaster announced today.

The judge concluded the court record should be amended to reflect the correct sign-on period of 10 years. This starts from July 11 – the date of Stanborough’s conviction.