A FOSTER carer who sexually abused two children in his care was yesterday jailed for 18 years.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the man, from the Caerphilly county borough area, abused the children over a period of four years from 2006 to 2010.

Marian Lewis, prosecuting, told the court the boy and girl were aged between six and 11 when the offences happened around once a week.

She said the foster carer, who had previously cared for five children, made threats against the boy not to tell anyone what he was doing.

The court heard the man had previously been convicted of making and producing indecent images of children in 2011 and the sexual abuse of the children took place at the same time as the commission of those offences.

The 46-year-old was found guilty of a total of 17 offences after trial last month. These included one attempted rape, ten sexual assaults, four causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two engaging in sexual activity with a child.

He was acquitted of further alleged sexual assaults relating to the pair. The court heard the man showed no remorse for his actions and maintains his victims are lying.

Stephen Dent, defending, described the offences as a “moment of madness” in his client’s life that coincided with the breakdown of his marriage.

He said his client was hard working, had been a good father to his own children and had fostered five other children without complaint.

Judge Patrick Curran QC said the man had betrayed the trust of the children who were put in his care because they had been victims of physical and emotional abuse by their own parents. He also betrayed the trust of his then wife and all those who placed the children with him, he said.

The judge added the carer abused his power over the children and had probably caused them ongoing difficulties.

The man was sentenced to a total of 18 years in prison and made him subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for life. After the hearing, Caerphilly council stressed the man had not worked for them.

Commenting on the case, Des Mannion, NSPCC national head of service for Wales, said: “For most children and young people, fostering is a positive option, providing them with a safer life in a stable home. Sadly in this instance, this was not the case, as two young children were subjected to terrible abuse at the hands of a foster carer whose duty it was to provide them with a safe, loving home. Thankfully cases like this are rare, as the vast majority of foster carers do an excellent job. It’s vital that prospective foster parents are thoroughly vetted, while ensuring red tape doesn’t hold back those who can provide a good level of care.”