UK paedophile gets life imprisonment for Malaysia abuse

A British paedophile who preyed on Christian children in an impoverished part of Kuala Lumpur was sentenced on Monday to life with a minimum term of 25 years.

Judge Peter Rook handed

Richard Huckle 22 life sentences to be served concurrently after he pleaded guilty to 71 counts of child sex offences.

Huckle, 30, held his hands together in prayer as the judge delivered his sentence, and remained impassive as his punishment was announced. A woman in the public gallery leapt to her feet and shouted "a thousand deaths is too good for you" as Huckle was led out of court.

Rook said Huckle had almost certainly "blighted the lives of his victims for ever" and had inflicted "severe psychological harm".

The prolific offender has already spent 488 days in jail, so faces more than 23 years behind bars before a parole board can consider his release.