One of Britain's worst paedophiles was jailed yesterday after he admitted waging a 30-year campaign of rape and sexual abuse against young children.

Robert Smith (65) was told by the judge that he deserved to die in prison as he was jailed for 20 years at York Crown Court.

Smith, of Cross Street, Scarborough, admitted 42 sex offences, including rape and other offences against 21 children, between 1954 and 1984.

It was described as one of the worst ever sex abuse cases to come before the courts.