A VICTIM of a Gwent police worker jailed for a series of sex attacks against boys said last night: "I hope he rots in hell."

He said his life was nearly destroyed by predatory paedophile Lyndon Lewis, who he describes as a "Jekyll and Hyde" character.

The civilian police vetting file clerk and former warden at St Peter's Church, Blaenavon, was jailed for 11 years for a catalogue of sex attacks on three boys.

One of his victims, now in his 20s, was abused by Lewis in the 1990s. He said: "Lewis put my family and me through hell and almost destroyed my life.

"When it was happening, I couldn't tell if it was real or if I was dreaming. "He's a Jekyll and Hyde character with an evil streak in him but he could be nice."

During his trial, defence barrister Ron Christie, said Lewis had "an exemplary work record and from beginning to end was a pillar of society."

His victim said: "He always seemed a kind, generous person.

"He was a man I used to look up to and someone who was respected and trusted.

"He was town clerk for a while and he did a lot of work with the church as well as voluntary work.

"He was known as 'The Vicar' - he wasn't really the vicar but he used to help him a lot.

"I hope he rots in hell for what he's done. It has affected my personal life.

The scars will always be there and what happened will always be in the back of my mind.

"Being in the witness box was quite frightening and difficult.

"But it was all worth it because he can't do it to anyone else and there is one less paedophile roaming the streets.

"I feel justice has prevailed and it's put my faith back in the system.

"I was grateful to the jury and the judge who said he agreed 100% with their verdict.

"I am pleased also the judge commended me and the other victims for coming forward.

"I would also like to thank Detective Constable Roger Moore and everyone involved in the case as well as the prosecuting barrister Tom Crowther.

"I'm just glad it's all over and Lewis got what he deserved.

"I'm a lot happier now that it's over and I'm trying to put it all behind me, pick up the pieces and just get on with my life."

The abuse came to light last year when Lewis was drunk in a Blaenavon pub and followed a boy into the lavatory and made an obscene request.

A jury at Cardiff crown court earlier this week found Lewis, 58, from Cwmavon Road, Blaenavon, guilty of 22 offences between 1987 and June, last year.

He was convicted of six serious sexual offences, 15 indecent assaults and one charge of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

In sentencing him, Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones, QC, branded Lewis "evil, corrupting and disgusting."

He told the former Bermuda police officer and magistrates court worker: "You ingratiated yourself with a veneer of respectability."