A PERVERTED former football coach who subjected children to years of horrific sexual abuse has been given a life sentence for what a judge called his "campaign of rape and sexual offending."

Anthony Pickering, 58,who forced his latest four victims to give evidence during a trial, was convicted of 16 sexual offences.

They included three offences which if committed today would be classed as rapes, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The earlier trial was told how the offences were all committed in the Windermere area of Cumbria in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the defendant was in his late teens and his mid 20s.

When he committed one of the most serious sexual offences, the victim was aged just eight.

The convictions are just the latest in a series of appalling sexual offences committed by Pickering, formerly of Claife Avenue, Windermere.

He was given a 10-year prison term in 2012 for sexually assaulting a young girl in West Yorkshire; and then two years ago, at Carlisle Crown Court, he was convicted of molesting seven young players more than 30 years ago.

Before today's sentencing, one victim told of how she had endured sleepless nights and nightmares and felt - without justification - that she blamed herself. "This is something that will never leave her," said prosecutor Jon Close.

Another victim had been left feeling angry, frustrated and ashamed until he found out there were other victims.

What happened had left the man with trust issues, he said.

Passing sentence, Judge Andrew Jefferies QC told the defendant: "The upshot is that you were committing offences of a serious sexual nature against children from the 1970s through to 2,000...

"I have come to the conclusion that - together with your previous offending - your behaviour is properly described as a campaign of rape and sexual offending."

The judge had no doubt Pickering was a dangerous man. "In other words," continued the judge, "you pose a significant risk of serious harm to children."

Judge Jefferies imposed a discretionary life sentence, with a minimum seven year term.

That means Pickering will only be eligible for release after that period of time, though he will be set free only if he satisfies the Parole Board he no longer poses a risk of serious harm to the public.