A FORMER Bridgwater businessman has been jailed for four years for sexually abusing two male victims.

Robert Woodland, 52, had previously been jailed in 2013 for attempted rape and indecent assault, and was sentenced on Tuesday for six further counts of sexual assault which had come to light in wake of his incarceration.

Disgraced Woodland, who used to live at Frederick Road in Bridgwater, was well known in the community having been a carnival club stage captain and used to run Razz’s Cleaning Service.

Five of the counts related to one victim, who Woodland repeatedly sexually abused when the boy was aged between 14 and 16.

Paul Cook, prosecuting, said Woodland had performed sexual acts on the victim on multiple occasions between 1996 and 1999.

Mr Cook read out a victim impact statement, which said: "Before the abuse I was a happy teenager, but I soon became angry and aggressive. I am not naturally a violent person but I have wanted to kill Robert Woodland."

Woodland was also found guilty of another charge of indecent assault, this one relating to an 18-year-old victim who Woodland inappropriately fondled following a night of heavy drinking in Bridgwater.

Defending Woodland, Patrick Mason said: "The defendant's last offence occurred in 1999, it has been 18 years since he has indulged in this type of behaviour. He has spent four years in prison in relation to his previous offences.

"During his prison sentence he has become trusted within the jail as a liaison between fellow prisoners and staff. He is still supported by family members."

Judge David Ticehurst sentenced Woodland to four years in prison, giving him credit for his guilty plea.

Judge Ticehurst said: "One of your victims has said 'I still think about it – I ask myself what did I do wrong?' The answer is that he did nothing wrong and you did everything wrong. You are known to the local authorities as a paedophile, and if you ever commit another offence of this kind you will be looking at a much longer sentence."

The younger victim's mother said she felt the sentence was 'disgusting'.

"It is not long enough for what he has done. We have been going through the interview process and waiting for this to go to trial for four years and he will be out in two," she said.

"He was meant to be a pillar of society but look at what scum he was. I just don’t feel justice has been done. It has affected our whole family and it makes it difficult to get on with your life."

Woodland, who was involved with the town carnival for more than 30 years, was previously found guilty of fondling a boy after a night in the pub in the 1980s, and attempting to rape a different boy aged 14 or 15, after plying him with drink.

The sexual abuse was unconnected with any carnival club and the event itself.