A PERVERTED man who befriended a "vulnerable" schoolboy before sexually abusing him has been jailed for 12 years "to protect the public from serious harm".

Bournemouth Crown Court heard yesterday how father-of-one Mario Bonchelli had bought the 14-year-old and two pals icecreams after meeting them during a day out at the beach.

Mark Worsley, prosecuting, said: "He took them back to his home where a great deal of alcohol was consumed. On another occasion there was music, cigarettes and alcohol taken and the boy's companions indicated cannabis was offered and used. On the third visit sexual activity was instigated."

Mr Worsley recalled how Bonchelli, of Talbot Road, Bournemouth, had blindfolded the boy and tied him to a bed after asking him if he wanted to have sex with a girl.

"He said there was a prostitute called Becky and went through the charade of purporting to welcome someone into the house.

"The ruse continued when the boy was very drunk and, on other occasions, when he was sober."

Bonchelli admitted six counts of buggery and two counts of indecently assaulting the boy between July 1 1997 and June 19 2000.

He also pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

The court heard how the boy had "felt trapped in the relationship and fearful Bonchelli would tell his father."

When asked if he knew any girls the boy brought a school friend back to Bonchelli's home where she was indecently assaulted.

Iain Ross, defending, said Bonchelli needed help, adding: "He has convinced himself it was a loving relationship - that is the hallmark of this type of behaviour.

"He seems to be ashamed of what he has done which is the first step towards being helped in any future sex offenders' programme."

Sentencing Bonchelli, Judge Samuel Wiggs said: "By your persuasion you turned friendship into a homosexual relationship, at an age when the boy was not entirely sure of his own sexuality.

"What you did has caused him deep psychological hurt and disturbance.

"Between 1972 and 1981 you committed ten sexual offences against young people.

"It is plain you don't understand the seriousness of what you have done. There is a high risk of further offending and I need to protect the public from serious harm by you."

Bonchelli will not be considered for release by a parole board until he had served half his sentence.

He will be on licence until the end of his sentence and have to register with the police for the rest of his life.