A former pupil of a Thanet school – sexually abused by a housemaster in the 1980s – has finally got justice after fearing "the b*****d had got away with it".

But now a judge has heard that paedophile Ronald Wiener’s vile activities could have been stopped earlier.

A teacher at the former Laleham School in Northdown Way, Margate - where Wiener was paid to care for youngsters - raised her concerns but was told she was "sick" and "effectively told to shut up".

It was only three years ago when former pupils began discussing their experiences at the boarding school – which cared for children with special needs - that police were finally alerted.

The victim revealed to a pal how he had been abused by Wiener but "thought the b*****d had got away with it."

In the interim, the 66-year-old pervert had moved to a school in Woking and was convicted in 1999 of molesting three boys - including one during a camping trip to Thanet - and was later given probation.

"The care and attention you showed your victim wasn’t selfless. It was grooming. You took advantage of your position...” - Judge Heather Norton

Wiener - who has lived in Gwynedd for many years - pleaded guilty to indecent assault and indecency with children and has been finally sent to prison for 21 months.

Judge Heather Norton said that had charges been brought under new tougher sex assault laws, he could have faced a maximum 14-year jail term.

She told the disgraced housemaster, who now suffers from diabetes. arthritis of the spine, high blood pressure, varicose veins and cataracts: "You were in a position of responsibility and trust and your victim was, in my belief, vulnerable.

"The care and attention you showed your victim wasn't selfless. It was grooming. You took advantage of your position."

Prosecutor Oliver Duncan told Canterbury Crown Court that Wiener was tracked down through an old school photograph – which was later shown to the judge.

He added: “He was standing at the back of the picture with blond or gingery coloured hair, quite short and stocky, wearing glasses and sporting a beard.”

The prosecutor told the court that a teacher, Linda Telfer made a statement to police telling of her concerns at that time at seeing a book (in the school) with indecent photographs of young boys.

He added: “She made a complaint at the time and without going into enormous detail , she was effectively told to shut up, that her allegations were sick and she should keep them to herself.”

The victim would later reveal how Wiener - who lived on the premises – had invited him to his room “to perform on him”.

Mr Duncan said the child’s ordeal would sometimes last up to two hours and happened over a prolonged period of time.

“He knows full well how offences like these are treated inside prison and he is terrified of the reception he will get...” - John O’Higgins, defending

Wiener was arrested two years ago and questioned by police and admitted knowing the victim but denied having any sexual contact with him.

“During the interview he became quite animated and angry and denied the allegations although after being reminded of his 1999 convictions, admitted he was, and always had been, sexually attracted to boys.

“He claimed he had been targeted by the victim and that the allegations were a lie.”

But after the jury had been sworn in, Wiener changed some of his pleas to guilty – and a third charge, which he denied, was ordered to be left on the file.

John O’Higgins, defending, said Wiener was now living in rented accommodation on the North Wales coast, living on a state and two small private pensions.

“He has some insight into his proclivity and has lived with these desires since he was 15. He did not choose to have those desires and he has struggled, often successfully, to control them.

“He knows full well how offences like these are treated inside prison and he is terrified of the reception he will get.”

After the hearing, head teacher of Laleham Gap School, Keith Mileham, said: "We are aware of the charges brought against a former residential child care worker, Ronald Wiener, which relate to offences committed during the 1980s.

"We would like to reassure parents and carers that there have been many improvements made to safeguarding practices during the last 30 years.

"At Laleham Gap we take our safeguarding responsibilities for the safe recruitment of suitable staff very seriously. Our safeguarding procedures are kept up to date and followed at all times.

"Safeguarding checks are carried out on all staff before they begin working at the school and are kept up to date during their employment.

"The school and residential unit are inspected by Ofsted annually. Kent County Council and The National Children's Society also carry out inspections, these are all unannounced and take place each term.

"We are rated 'Good' by Ofsted and in the March report it noted 'Robust safeguarding systems are diligently implemented and residential pupils reside in a safe and secure environment'."