A RETIRED police officer and former soldier is tonight starting a ten-year prison sentence for a catalogue of sickening abuse against two children decades ago.

Joseph Sample was told by a judge that he had ruined the lives of the victims, still struggling to come to terms with their ordeal.

It emerged during a court hearing today that one of the children told a teacher about the abuse in the 1980s, but Sample - then s serving police officer - was never prosecuted by his own force.

Social services and police officials investigated the complaint, but the teenager was wrongly branded unreliable and a liar by an educational psychologist.

It was not until a fresh complaint was made in 2007 that Sample - by now aged 60 and retired after 16 years with Cleveland Police - was questioned and charged.

He maintained "robust" denials throughout interviews, said prosecutor Penny Moreland, but late last year pleaded guilty to 12 indecent assaults and seven rapes.

Sample's barrister, Alexia Zimbler, said his belated confessions had, at least, saved his victims from having to relive their devastating ordeals publicly during a trial.

They sat in the public gallery at Teesside Crown Court just yards away from their abuser, weeping and gasping as details of the case were revealed.

Both victims find it difficult to trust people, while one still suffers from flashbacks and nightmares, while the other has been blighted by lifelong depression.

Miss Moreland told Judge George Moorhouse that one victim blames the abuse for not having children of their own, while the other has made repeated suicide bids.

The victim who confided in the teacher believes it was the attacker's job which prevented the claim being taken seriously, and that his force supported him.

Cleveland Police said last night: "Previous enquiries had been made following allegations, but there was not enough evidence to pursue a prosecution.

"It is thanks to the courage and bravery of Sample's victims coming forward that we have been able to secure a conviction today."

Sample, who walks with a stick, stood in the dock with his head bowed as Judge Moorhouse delivered a damning verdict on his "terrifying" campaign of abuse.

"It is quite clear that you took advantage of these two young people and the consequences of your actions have adversely affected their outlook on life," the judge said.

"You caused so much anguish in their lives . . . I am quite satisfied that your behaviour was so abhorrent that a custodial sentence of a long time is inevitable."

Sample, 62, formerly of Hereford Road, Guisborough, east Cleveland, was ordered to sign on the sex offenders' register for life and was banned from working with children.

Charity leaders and the police last night praised the victims for their bravery, and vowed to do all they could to help others who find themselves in a similar position.

A spokeswoman for the NSPCC said: "We know sexual abuse is a traumatic experience for children that can have damaging effects that last into adulthood."

Cleveland Police said: "This is a dreadful case of abuse which has had serious consequences for his victims and their families over the course of many years.

"The victims in this case have shown great courage in coming forward to speak to the police about the abuse they suffered at Sample's hands.

"This case highlights the fact that those who abuse children are never safe from prosecution and should be aware that the passage of time does not diminish their responsibility for what they have done to their victims and they will be held to account for their actions."

Peter Saunders, the chief executive of the National Association of People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC), said: "When survivors of abuse speak out about it, like these two people, it helps to protect children.

"Abusers don't want us talking about it and don't want the glare of publicity but people like these two, by showing such bravery, are doing just that."

* Help for victims can be found at www.napac.org.uk or by calling free on 0800 0853330.