THE heir to the Greggs bakers chain has been jailed for 13-and-a-half years after being branded a “sophisticated, predatory paedophile” by a judge.

As children’s charity founder Colin Gregg, who is believed to be a multi-millionaire, began his sentence last night, his victims said the abuse had devastated their lives, leaving them ashamed and divorced from reality.

The grandfather, 75, who taught at Durham School for three years starting in 1964 and set up the North-East Children’s Cancer Run, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court having been convicted of nine counts of indecent assault.

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Colin Gregg, after he was charged in 2015

The former social worker’s attacks were on four boys, aged 11 to 14, over a period of decades in a gym, swimming pool, his study and a car.

One of the boys claimed to have been molested by Gregg - who retired as a non-executive director of the bakery in 2001 after 30 years - in the swimming pool at Durham School, where he was a pupil.

Gregg, of Gosforth, had denied the charges, claiming he was the victim of a “witch hunt” and that the complainants were fantasists, looking for compensation.

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Colin Gregg, in 1967, when he taught at Durham School

Sasha Wass QC, mitigating, said Gregg continued to deny the offences and highlighted his “positive contribution to society”.

A joint statement from his victims read: “Mr Gregg was a man who I had invested an enormous amount of trust and respect in. It was impossible for me to believe that he could have done what I know he did to me.

“Mr Gregg’s abuse of power and trust left me with an extremely cynical and mistrustful view. I am pleased this trial has finally put Gregg where he belongs. I hope he can reflect upon his actions in prison and feel shame for those whose lives he has adversely affected over a number of years. I hope to put this behind me and never hear the name Colin Gregg again.”

Gregg abused his positions of trust as a teacher and headteacher, Judge Robin Mairs said.

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Colin Gregg, in 1986, when he was headmaster at Tynemouth King's School

The judge told Gregg, who has been married for 50 years, he had used his great wealth, privilege and social standing as “a cloak of respectability” to abuse boys, for whom he still showed “utter contempt” towards.

He added: “This was sophisticated predatory behaviour, you are a sophisticated predatory paedophile. You were a charismatic, inspiring teacher and mentor, but you used those attributes to groom boys and to protect yourself from allegations.

The lengthy jail sentence came more than 20 years since police first investigated an allegation against Gregg.

In 1997, Gregg, a father-of-three was acquitted by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court of four counts of indecent assault on a schoolboy, and walked free from court again 14 months later after five charges of indecent assault on boys were dropped.

Last year, a jury in Newcastle could not agree verdicts on further sex abuse charges against Gregg, leading to the retrial at Leeds Crown Court which concluded earlier this month with nine convictions.

After the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Chris Wilson said: "We welcome the sentencing of the court today and hope this allows these victims to move on with their lives.

"Colin Gregg was in a position of trust which he used to sexually exploit children. This will have undoubtedly had a huge impact on the lives of these victims and their families. We hope today's outcome gives them a sense of justice and some closure.

"There has been a significant national increase in reporting of sexual abuse partly due to the Savile investigation and also that the public have more confidence to report abuse to the police.

"And this case absolutely demonstrates it is never too late to report abuse. If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, Northumbria Police encourages you to report - we will believe you. You will be treated with dignity and sensitivity by our dedicated and specially trained officers. We will ensure you are fully supported.

"We understand some people may have concerns about coming forward to report abuse to the police, if they do not feel comfortable in doing this we would encourage them to use some of the independent agencies available."