A 'PREDATORY and manipulative' female paedophile who repeatedly abused young boys after giving them cigarettes and cider has been jailed.

Delena Wells, 72, who lives in Carterton, was handed an eight-and-a-half year prison sentence after being found guilty of one count of indecent assault on one boy and six on another boy.

It comes after a trial at Bristol Crown Court at which Wells had denied carrying out the abuse on both boys when they were under the age of 16.

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A spokesperson for the NSPCC (The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) said: "Wells’ predatory and manipulative behaviour had a devastating impact on her victims, who would have been haunted by their experiences well into their adult lives.

"Although over 30 years have passed since the crimes were committed, this case is a reminder that no matter how long ago the abuse took place, perpetrators can be brought to justice."

The trial in Bristol was told had Wells had plied the youngsters with alcohol and cigarettes while she was living in a cottage in Clevedon in North Somerset.

She was in her 40s at the time, and the prosecution described her as 'a sexual predator'.

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Donald Tait, prosecuting, said: "The crown suggests that this lady, born in 1947, in her younger days was a sexual predator.

"In interview, [the man] said he enjoyed the attention she bestowed on him.

"He said further sexual activity took place between them on perhaps hundreds of occasions. It stopped around about his 15th birthday.

"He was told, bearing in mind he was a boy, not to tell anyone about what was going on otherwise he would end up in prison. As a young lad he believed this."

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The court heard after the boy stopped seeing Wells he confided with a number of people what had happened before reporting her to police.

Wells denied any intimacy took place between them and described him as 'delusionary and a fantasist'.

Jurors were told that the police then traced a second, independent complainant.

He said he was at Wells' home when she talked about 'girls being frigid but women not being frigid'.

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He said after drinking Special Brew they were on Wells' sofa when she molested him. He said she then undid his trousers before performing a sex act on him.

He added: "I didn't try and fight her off" - but said he was sick in the toilet after the encounter.

He also claimed that Wells later simulated oral sex with a horse's lead, which embarrassed him.

He denied making his allegation just to bolster the other boy's complaint. His wife described him as honest and reliable and said he 'just went quiet' over difficult issues.

The NSPCC shamed Wells for her 'clear' and damaging sexual interest in children.