POLICE and the family of a 12-year-old boy raped by a 'wicked' paedophile have hit out at the sentence and said: He should have got life.

And Craig Bennett’s victim has revealed, in a moving statement read to court, the devastating impact the crime has had on him.

Bennett, 45, of Stuart Close, Darwen, was branded a danger to the public by Judge Pamela Badley and given an indeterminate prison sentence.

But he could be eligible for parole in just 10 years if he is assessed as not posing a significant risk to young boys.

Bennett raped the boy in Bailey’s Field, Darwen, in May 2008 after concocting a false story about needing help looking for a lost dog.

It was his fourth sex attack on boys in 20 years, including an almost identical attack in Bailey’s Field in 1993 for which he was jailed for 10 years.

The boy revealed in his statement that he had gone on to self harm and tried to run away from home following his horrific ordeal.

He said: “I ask myself why I went with that man. I think that if I hadn't gone then things would still be normal, but I don't think my family will ever be normal again and I blame myself.

"The events are constantly on my mind and every minute of the day it haunts me. I find it hard to sleep and then I don't have enough energy to get through the day.

"I can't go out with my friends because I am scared something might happen to me. The only place I feel safe is at home."

He added: "Since that man was found guilty I can't stop thinking he will some day be released and will come and find me and my family. What really worries me is that if he did, this time he would murder me as he failed last time."

After the case, his family said in a statement: "Despite committing a catalogue of sex crimes and despite being a registered sex offender Bennett was nonetheless at liberty and in a position to carry out these crimes against our son.

“Why, having committed these previous offences, was Bennett not still in prison and why was he allowed to return to Darwen where he was able to carry out this attack on our son?

“We are still coming to terms with the enormity of what Bennett has done.

“These important questions need to be answered because we want to avoid any other family having to be put through what we have had to endure."

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Jim Elston,said: “I am satisfied that the judge deemed Bennett to present such a danger to the public and I am reassured that he will serve at least 10 years in prison before there is any discussion about his release.

"However, I personally feel the gravity of the offence would have warranted a life sentence, although I respect the decision of the judge.

“Bennett took advantage of the trusting and innocent nature of his victim in order to carry out a wicked and cruel sexual assault.”

Bennett was jailed at Preston Crown Court today after a jury last week convicted him of kidnap, making threats to kill and two charges of rape.