SANDPOINT - A Blanchard man who admitted repeatedly molesting an Oldtown youngster was given a life sentence on Monday.

David John Hughes, 52, will have to serve at least 25 years in an Idaho prison before he can be considered for parole.

Hughes apologized for his misconduct before 1st District Judge Steve Verby imposed the sentence.

"I just can't change anything. I wish I could," Hughes said.

Hughes was charged with lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor early this year, after one victim came forward to report the abuse, which occurred from 1998 to 2000. The victim, who was between the ages of 8 and 12, told Bonner County Sheriff's investigators he resolved to come forward to spare other youngsters from sexual abuse at the hands of Hughes.

The victim, who did not attend the sentencing hearing, told investigators that Hughes would lure children to his trailer with junk food, games and firearms.

Friends of Hughes wrote a number of letters of support to the court attesting to his character and work ethic.

Chief Public Defender Isabella Robertson said her client is also a victim of child sex abuse.

"That's where the pattern (of abuse) likely starts," said Robertson.

Robertson said Hughes is remorseful and that her client is asking for mercy because he is expected to be diagnosed with cancer.

The defense recommended a 2- to 10-year term with retained jurisdiction, which could have qualified Hughes for release after a year in prison. Robertson recommended a shorter fixed term and/or retained jurisdiction so Hughes could gain quicker access to sex offender treatment.

"I don't doubt there is a level of remorse," Prosecutor Louis Marshall said.

However, Hughes was convicted of lewd conduct with a preteen boy in Nevada in the early 1980s, Marshall said. He recommended a 20-to-life sentence.

Moreover, a psychosexual evaluation concluded that Hughes was not a good candidate for community-based sex offender treatment. A full-disclosure polygraph also indicated that Hughes had a pattern of misconduct with underage boys.

Verby said the primary goal of the sentence was to protect society.

"You may or may not have started others on the pattern of the same behavior," said Verby. "It's going to stop now."