Paedophile 'ruined lives' of children he attacked
Northumbria PoliceA "dangerous" paedophile who "ruined the lives" of three children he attacked has been jailed for 12 years.
Scott McKenzie, 38, had denied assaulting the primary school age victims, but a judge at Newcastle Crown Court said jurors "saw through his lies" when they convicted him of multiple sexual offences.
Judge Gavin Doig said there was "no doubt" all three children's lives had been "badly affected" by McKenzie and would continue to be so for a "considerable time".
McKenzie, from Birtley, Gateshead, was previously jailed in 2017 for 10 years for groping a four-year-old child, the court heard.
In statements read to the court by prosecutor Ellen Wright, one of the children said McKenzie "ruined my life" and the lives of his other victims.
Another said, even with counselling and support, their "fear had never gone away".
The third said they now saw their childhood only as "darkness".
'Enormous courage'
Judge Doig said: "There is no doubt in my mind all three have been very badly affected and will continue to be for a considerable period of time."
He said McKenzie continued to claim his innocence but "the jury saw through [his] lies and arrived at the correct verdicts".
The judge paid tribute to the three victims for their "enormous courage" in reporting McKenzie, adding: "Had they not done so, this case would not have come to light and reached this just conclusion."
McKenzie had been assessed as posing a "high risk of harm to children" and would be classed as a "dangerous offender", the judge said.
McKenzie will have to serve a further four years on extended licence upon his release from prison, the court ruled.
