COLLEAGUES of a paedophile children's worker from Wilmslow, jailed after a string of indecent assaults against a schoolboy, say they always suspected he was a pervert.

David Crank, 50, of Oak Lea Avenue, near Fulshaw Park worked as a senior manager within the Children and Families Services at Tameside Council where staff became suspicious eight years ago.

Married Crank, who is thought to have moved in with his mother, abused the trusting youngster after asking him if he knew the facts of life.

On one occasion he told the boy: "I might like to touch you - but I'd never hurt you."

The offences were committed in the 1980s but the boy found the courage to contact police years later after learning Crank had embarked on a relationship with a woman who had a young son.

Crank's victim - now a 31 year-old man - said the abuse had "cheated him" of a normal life.

Social services bosses allegedly received a warning from child protection nurses eight years ago that there were allegations of abuse against Crank - but took no action - and staff were allegedly warned not to talk about it.

The charges did not relate to Crank's work at Tameside council but an internal inquiry was launched with no further concerns uncovered to-date.

At Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester Crank pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault.

He was jailed for two years, banned from working with children indefinitely and must sign the Sex Offender Register for ten years.

Passing sentence Judge Jonathan Geake told Crank said: "Of all the people in the world who must appreciate the nature of the abuse of trust it must be you."

"With your background you have seen over and over again the sexual abuse of young people and you know therefore precisely how damaging it can be."

"There is no doubt that sort of behaviour made your victim extremely confused and worried."

"It seems to me in many ways you spoilt his young life. The public and your victim would feel greatly let down if the court did not mark with punishment this sort of behaviour."

Crank was sacked from his job in March after admitting the offences.

Prosecutor Miss Joanna Rodikis told how Crank first abused the boy when he was nine-years-old.

It was alleged he told the youngster boys could masturbate until they were involved in a loving relationship and demonstrated on the youngster.

It happened again when the boy was aged eleven and then two years later when the victim was 13 Crank took him to the Glastonbury music festival where they camped in a tent.

Crank again turned the topic of conversation on to masturbation and indecently assaulted the boy for a third time.

The fourth assault occurred when he was 17.

At 21 years-old the victim confided in a girlfriend, telling her he found it hard to form relationships as a result of the abuse and had received counselling and medical treatment for depression.

He felt his education had suffered and he had taken marijuana and engaged in binge drinking as a result.

Crank was arrested in November 2003 and admitted everything. He told police he began by offering sex education to the boy but then admitted deriving sexual gratification from his actions.

In mitigation defence counsel Mr Ahmed Nadim said Crank had not embarked on a course of indecent conduct and an investigation had revealed "no suggestion" or any sexual impropriety with other children.

Mr Nadim said: "The defendant has fallen from grace, lost his place in society and lost his senior position with social services. His domestic life remains devastated. He is going to have to start life afresh."

Tameside Council declined to comment. Neighbours in Fulshaw Park also declined to comment.